A potential ceramic ball grinding medium for optimizing flotation separation of chalcopyrite and pyrite

Ceramic ball (CB) and cast iron ball (CIB) media were used in the grinding of chalcopyrite and pyrite (1:1) to investigate the influence of grinding media on flotation separation. The selectivity indexe values were 2.65 (CB) and 1.58 (CIB) under the optimal conditions. In the CB system, the concentrations of Cu2+, SO42−, dissolved oxygen, and pH in the slurry were slightly higher. The root-mean-square roughness (Rq) values of the CB and CIB systems ground products were 9.02 nm and 74.80 nm, respectively. Moreover, a large amount of FeOOH was formed on the surface of the CIB ground products owing to the electrochemical interaction between the minerals and the media. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that FeOOH was adsorbed preferentially on the surfaces of chalcopyrite and pyrite, thus severely hindering the adsorption of butyl xanthate. Therefore, the CB medium is beneficial for enhancing the flotation performance of chalcopyrite and pyrite. [Display omitted] •Effect of grinding media on separation of chalcopyrite and pyrite were studied.•The selectivity indexes were 2.65 (CB) and 1.58 (CIB) at the optimal conditions.•The root-mean-square roughness and FeOOH of CIB ground products were higher.•FeOOH adsorbed preferentially on surface to hinder the adsorption of collector.