Abstract:
The effect of froth flotation parameter (pH) on copper recovery from Anka chalcopyrite was studied with a view to determining copper grade enhancement and recovery from the ore. Chalcopyrite ore Samples were taken from Anka copper ore deposit, Anka Local Government Area, Zamfara State, Nigeria. Crude sample was characterized using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Scanning Electron microscope/Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM/EDS). XRF analysis of the crude sample revealed that the ore contained 14.4% copper (Cu), 20.8% sulphur (S), 7.7% silicon (Si) and 54.44% iron (Fe) as the major constituents. The mineralogical analysis of the copper ore using XRD revealed that the ore contained chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), siderite (Fe2O3), quartz (SiO2) and goethite [FeO(OH)]. The Scanning Electron microscope images and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer results showed that the ore contained copper bearing minerals and are separated from other minerals in the ore by coarse grain boundaries and weak interlocking bonds, thus facilitating the liberation of copper from other associated minerals during comminution. The fractional sieve analysis showed that the economic liberation size is 500𝜇𝑚 and the actual liberation size 90𝜇𝑚 with 16.6% CuO. Froth flotation of the crude ore at varying pH values of 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; at constant rate for other froth flotation conditions/parameters, showed significant improvement in the value addition to the ore at pH value of 10 with 15.9% CuO grade of concentrate, copper recovery of 33.62%, concentration ratio of 3.28% and enrichment ratio of 1.10%. Hence, the Anka copper ore could be seen as another potential source of copper mineral that can be beneficiated and utilized for the production of copper metal and alloys for the nation metallurgical industry
