Selective depression of talc in azurite sulfidization flotation by tamarind polysaccharide gum: Flotation response and adsorption mechanism

In this study, tamarind polysaccharide gum was first used in the sulfidization flotation of azurite to improve the Cu grade of the concentrate via the depression of talc. The flotation and contact angle test results indicated that the hydrophobicity and floatability of talc were weakened, and the recovery decreased with the addition of tamarind polysaccharide gum, but the flotation behavior of azurite was barely influenced. At pH 8.0, using 30 mg/L tamarind polysaccharide gum with 200 mg/L Na2S and 400 mg/L NaBX to separate azurite and talc, the recoveries of which were 80.42% and 18.07%, respectively. To explore the adsorption mechanism of tamarind polysaccharide gum, zeta potential measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses were conducted. The results indicated that tamarind polysaccharide gum selectively adsorbed on the talc surface, thus the flotation separation of azurite and talc was achieved, and the concentrate grade in the sulfidization flotation of azurite was increased.