Effect of Phyllosilicate Minerals on the Rheology,
Colloidal and Flotation Behaviour of Chalcopyrite
Mineral
Saeed. Farrokhpay* and Bulelwa Ndlovu
JKMRC, University of Queensland, 40 Isles Road, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068, Australia
* Email: s.farrokhpay@uq.edu.au
Abstract- The effects of phyllosilicate minerals, namely
illite, muscovite, talc, kaolinite and montmorillonite, on the
flotation of chalcopyrite were investigated. For this
purpose, the effect of these phyllosilicate minerals on the
froth stability, rheological properties, zeta potential as well
as copper flotation grade and recovery was investigated. It
was found that various phyllosilicate minerals behave
differently when added to the chalcopyrite slurries,
however, they all caused the flotation grade to be reduced,
albeit at different levels.
The effect of different phyllosilicate minerals on the froth
stability of chalcopyrite slurry followed the order of
montmorillonite> muscovite >illite > kaolinite, talc. The
effect on the rheology of chalcopyrite slurries was more or
less negligible, except for montmorillonite where the
suspension behaviour shifted from near Newtonian to
pseudoplastic.
The effect of phyllosilicate minerals on the zeta potential of
chalcopyrite particles was also varied. While 30%
montmorillonite and kaolinite had a very minimal effect,
addition of 30% muscovite to the chalcopyrite slurry
resulted in the zeta potential values being closer to the
pure muscovite suggesting full surface coverage of
chalcopyrite particles.
Montmorillonite and talc had the most deleterious effect
on chalcopyrite flotation. The deleterious effect of
montmorillonite is attributed to both rheology and froth
stability. The deleterious effect of muscovite is also
attributed to the surface coatings of the chalcopyrite
particles.
Keywords: Phyllosilicate minerals, chalcopyrite, flotation,
clays
I. INTRODUCTION
The difficulty of treating ores in the presence of clay minerals
is well known in the mineral processing industry [1, 2]. Clay
minerals have been named as one of the main problems in
leaching and milling processes due to their small size, which
causes a higher viscosity in grinding and also blocks the
leaching path [3]. The situation is hardly better in froth
flotation. For example, bentonite can greatly depress coal
flotation by reducing the froth stability [4]. The effect of clay
minerals on froth stability in flotation has been recently
reviewed [2].
The various deleterious roles of clay minerals in froth flotation
have been investigated by a number of authors [5-7]. The
effects include i) surface coating of the mineral surfaces [8],
ii) increasing reagent consumption due to their high surface
area [9], iii) transferring large quantities of clay minerals into
the concentrate during the flotation process, iv) increasing
pulp viscosity [4], and v) changing froth stability (decreasing
or increasing) [5, 10]. Even so, there is still no clear
understanding of the specific effects of different phyllosilicate
minerals on froth flotation. This is perhaps due to the
complexity that arises when dealing with multicomponent ore
systems as has often been the case in the mentioned studies.
Moreover, different phyllosilicate minerals are likely to
present dissimilar effects on flotation, due to varying inherent
hydrophobic or rheological properties.
Froth stability is a key parameter in controlling and optimising
the mineral grade and recovery in flotation. It not only
depends on the frother type and concentration, but also on the
amount and nature of the suspended particles (particle
hydrophobicity and size) [11]. These are then inherent
properties of the minerals and mineral type in the slurry. Other
parameters which could influence froth stability include the
quality of process water, gas dispersion, particle contact angle,
conditioning of flotation feed particles with various chemical
reagents, froth height, temperature, salt concentration, particle
size and froth retention time [11, 12]. The froth stability of
mineral slurries has been successfully investigated at
laboratory scale using a froth column [13, 14]. The effect of
phyllosilicate minerals on froth stability can be examined in a
similar manner.
The suspension rheology is also important in determining the
hydrodynamics and dispersion properties within the pulp
phase. This, in turn, affects the minerals reporting to the
concentrate. The rheological properties of mineral slurries are
of great practical importance in many mineral processing
applications as they are useful indicators of the degree of
aggregation and dispersion of particles within that suspension
[15, 16]. For example, the design and operation of pumping
systems of particulate suspensions is based on the viscosity
and yield stress values. In such an application, knowledge of
the yield stress is significant in ensuring the successful start-up
of a pumping system from a static shut down condition. The
viscosity is an indication of the pumping requirements and
ease of flow thereafter. Studies linking the mineralogical
content and rheological response have identified phyllosilicate
gangue minerals as major contributors towards ore flow
behaviour [17, 18]. This is supported by fundamental studies
which have been conducted on pure phyllosilicate mineral
suspensions, reporting significantly higher viscosities and
yield stresses in the presence of phyllosilicate minerals
(particularly swelling clays and serpentine minerals) compared
to non-phyllosilicate mineral suspensions (e.g. quartz) [19,
20]. The importance of rheology in mineral processing has
also recently been reviewed [21].
This study seeks to investigate the effects of different
phyllosilicate minerals (namely illite, muscovite, talc,
kaolinite and montmorillonite) on the flotation of chalcopyrite
mineral. By using such a simplified model mineral system,
rather than an ore comprising multicomponent mineral
systems, the effects of the different phyllosilicate minerals can
be better elucidated.
II. MATERIAL AND EXPERIMENTALS METHODS
A. Material
Pure chalcopyrite, illite, talc, kaolinite, montmorillonite and
muscovite were used in this study. Chalcopyrite single
mineral, with a purity of more than 98%, was obtained from
Wards Science (USA). Kaolinite Q38 (pre-ground) was
provided by Unimin Australia Limited. All other phyllosilicate
samples were obtained in a pre-ground form Wards Science.
Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) and MIBC, were used as
collector and frother, respectively, in copper flotation.
Brisbane tap water was used throughout the study.
B. Flotation
200g of chalcopyrite was ground to P80 of 75 microns and
suspended in a 1L bottom driven flotation cell. The flotation
tests were conducted at 20% solid (by weight) at a pH of 8.
This is within the pH range at which most industrial flotation
runs are conducted. 100 g/t sodium alkyl xanthate (PAX) and
40 ppm MIBC were used as collector and frother, respectively.
The pH was monitored and adjusted if needed using KOH and
HCl. Three concentrates were collected at 10 seconds intervals
over 1, 3 and 5 minutes (cumulative).
C. Froth stability tests
Chalcopyrite was ground to P80 of 75 microns for froth
stability tests. Varying concentrations of each phyllosilicate
were added to the pure chalcopyrite and the froth stability of
each slurry was assessed (at laboratory scale) using a specially
designed froth stability column [22, 23]. The froth column
consists of a 100 cm high acrylic column, with square 10 cm
10 cm section, in which pulp samples are introduced for
testing foaming proprieties. The column is provided with an
impeller to ensure sufficient pulp agitation and a porous plate
at the bottom for uniform air diffusion. Air flow is regulated
by means of a flow-meter, and the same Jg as in flotation
(1 cm/s) was maintained during the tests. A 2 L sample was
conditioned with the collector and frother and placed into the
apparatus. Once the pulp sample was introduced into the
column, the stirrer was turned on, in order to ensure sufficient
agitation and avoid settling of particles. At time t = 0, air was
turned on, and froth height against time was measured, until
an equilibrium value for the froth height Hf0 was reached. At
this point, air was turned off, and froth decay measured. The
half-life of the froth, i.e. the time needed for the froth to
collapse to half its equilibrium height, was taken as an
indicator for froth stability.
D. Rheology measurements
The rheology of suspensions of the chalcopyrite-phyllosilicate
mixtures was analysed using an Anton Paar DR301 rheometer.
In each case, 60 mL of slurry was taken from the flotation cell.
Each suspension was stirred using a magnetic stirrer, ensuring
homogeneity and suspension of particles prior to rheology
testing. Measurements were conducted in triplicate for each
slurries using a cup and bob geometry. The shear rate was
adjusted from 2 to 300 s-1, and then reverse from 300 to 2 s-1
and no significant hysteresis observed. The same tests were
conducted on the flotation tailings. Different equivalent
concentrations of pure chalcopyrite suspensions were also
tested to determine if changes in rheological behaviour were
due to either increasing total solid concentration or to the
effect of clay addition.
E. Zeta potential measurements
The zeta potential of the chalcopyrite and phyllosilicate mineral
samples was measured as a function of pH using a Colloidal
Dynamics ZetaProbe. 100 grams of chalcopyrite was ground to
obtain P80 of 38 m. The suspension was prepared and in
0.001M NaCl solution. The pH was reduced from 10.5 to 4.5,
using 0.2 M HCl and NaOH solutions to adjust the pH
accordingly during measurement.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
A. Flotation the froth stability results may need further validation as talc
Figure 1 shows the changes in Cu grade of chalcopyrite upon had a strong tendency to stick to the froth column walls during
the addition of varying concentrations of each phyllosilicate. testing, making analysis particularly difficult.
The Cu flotation recovery was unchanged at about 90%, with
or without addition of phyllosilicate minerals. However, the
Cu grades were lower in the presence of all tested
phyllosilicate minerals. The Cu grade of pure chalcopyrite
flotation is 34.8% (calculated based on Cu in CuFeS2). Figure
1 shows that with the addition of the maximum tested amount
of illite, kaolinite and muscovite, the Cu grade decreases (from
34.8%) to about 30%, 28% and 26.5%, respectively. The Cu
grade decreases dramatically to 22% when 30% of talc or 15%
of montmorillonite was added to the chalcopyrite flotation.
Talc is known to be hydrophobic and one may expect it to
float during mineral flotation. Therefore, it is often depressed
Figure 2: Effect of phyllosilicate minerals (illite , kaolinite , muscovite ,
in industry by using a depressant such as CMC or guar gum montmorillonite , and talc x) on the froth stability (half-life) of chalcopyrite
[24]. suspension

Figure 1: Effect of phyllosilicate minerals (illite , kaolinite , muscovite ,
montmorillonite , and talc x) on the copper grade in chalcopyrite flotation
(Cu flotation recovery unchanged at about 90%).
C. Rheology
Figure 3 shows the rheograms of pure chalcopyrite
suspensions at increasing solid concentration. These tests were
conducted to gauge whether any changes in rheology could be
attributed to chalcopyrite or to the added phyllosilicate
minerals. The results show a similar rheological trend for
chalcopyrite concentrations between 20 to 30%. However,
there is a considerable increase in the slurry viscosity at 40%
solid by weight. These results suggest that in the range of total
solids concentration up to 30% (by wt.), any change in the
chalcopyrite slurry rheology, after addition of phyllosilicate
minerals is indeed due to the phyllosilicate addition and not a
result of the increased solid concentration of the chalcopyrite.

In order to understand the effect of phyllosilicate minerals on

the chalcopyrite flotation, froth stability, rheology and zeta
potential measurements were conducted, which are discussed
in the following sections.

B. Froth stability
Figure 2 shows the changes in froth half-life (froth stability)
upon the addition of different phyllosilicate minerals. It can be
seen that montmorillonite and muscovite have a noticeable
effect on the froth stability of chalcopyrite suspension. The
froth height increases by 20-25% with the addition of Figure 3: Rheology of chalcopyrite slurry as a function of solid%; for 20%,
montmorillonite and muscovite to the mineral suspension. On 30% , and 40% .
the other hand, illite has less effect, and both kaolinite and talc
have a negligible effect. Therefore, the effect of different
phyllosilicate minerals on the froth stability of chalcopyrite Figures 4 and 5 also show the rheograms of suspensions
suspension follows the order of montmorillonite> muscovite> containing chalcopyrite and varying concentrations of each
illite> kaolinite and talc. Montmorillonite demonstrated the phyllosilicate. The results show that there is no marginal
most noticeable effect on froth stability and, at the same time, rheological effect observed for all phyllosilicate minerals other
it has a major deleterious effect on chalcopyrite flotation than montmorillonite.
(Figure 1). Talc, on the other hand, which has the same effect
on the copper flotation grade seems to have a very minimal Figure 5 shows that montmorillonite considerably affects the
effect on the froth stability. It should be noted, however, that chalcopyrite slurry rheology. Addition of 5 to 10%
montmorillonite causes a slight change in the rheology of
chalcopyrite slurry. However, a different rheological
behaviour with a yield stress is observed by addition of 15%
montmorillonite. The significant change in the rheology can
be related to the considerable effect montmorillonite had on
the froth stability, compared to the other four phyllosilicate
minerals tested in this study. In fact, when the effects of the
phyllosilicate minerals on the rheology of chalcopyrite slurry
are compared to each other, the prominent effect of
montmorillonite is very clear.
The extreme rheological effects observed for montmorillonite
are in agreement with the results of Ndlovu et al. [25], which
demonstrated a critical concentration of < 4% by volume for
pure montmorillonite, while this occurs at much higher
concentrations for the other minerals in their pure form (>
15% solids by volume).

Figure 4: Effect of kaolinite, illite, talc and muscovite on the chalcopyrite

slurry (20 wt%) rheology as a function of solid% of phyllosilicate minerals
(0% +, 10% , 20% and 30% ).

Figure 5: Effect of Montmorillonite (0% +, 5% , 10%, and 15% ) on the
chalcopyrite slurry (20 wt%) rheology.
D. Zeta potential
Figure 6 shows the zeta potential curves of pure
chalocopyrite. The results show that the zeta potential of
chalcopyrite is about -25 mV at pH above 8.5. However below
pH of 8.5, the zeta potential becomes less negative, reaching
the iso electric point (iep) at pH about 5.5. Therefore, it is
negatively charged across the pH examined in this project (pH
8). The iep of non-oxidized chalcopyrite in different salt
solutions has been reported to be between pH 4-5 [12]. The
observed zeta potential is then within the range of previously
reported values. However, Peng and Zhang [26] have reported
the iep of chalcopyrite, after grinding with peroxide, exhibited
at around pH 8.5, indicating strong oxidation. Sulfide minerals
get oxidised quickly and therefore the zeta potential does vary.
Figure 6: Zeta potential of chalcopyrite (repeated 4 times with 95%
confidence).
Figure 7 shows the zeta potential curves of suspensions of
each phyllosilicate and chalcopyrite-phyllosilicate mixtures (at
varying mixture concentrations). The results show that the zeta
potential of chalcopyrite with 30% montmorillonite and
kaolinite is very close to that of pure chalcopyrite particles.
However, addition of 30% muscovite to the chalcopyrite
suspension results in zeta potential values closer to the pure
muscovite, which may suggest full surface coverage of
chalcopyrite particles with muscovite. Addition of 30% talc
and illite to the chalcopyrite suspension also results in zeta
potential values shifting between that of chalcopyrite and
these phyllosilicate minerals, as one may expect from partial
surface coatings of chalcopyrite particles. A similar behaviour
can be seen when 10% of all phyllosilicate minerals is added
to the chalcopyrite suspension.
CONCLUSIONS
Various phyllosilicate minerals were found to behave
differently when added to the chalcopyrite slurry, however,
they all caused the flotation grade to be reduced. Addition of
the maximum tested amount of illite, kaolinite and muscovite
caused the Cu grade to decrease (from 34.8%) to about 30%,
28% and 26.5%, respectively (at the same flotation recovery).
The Cu grade was also decreased dramatically to about 22%
when 30% talc or 15% montmorillonite was added to the
chalcopyrite flotation. Therefore, the effect of phyllosilicate
minerals on the flotation of chalcopyrite can be ranked as talc,
montmorillonite> muscovite> kaolinite> illite.
The ranking for different phyllosilicate minerals on the froth
stability of chalcopyrite slurry followed the order of
montmorillonite > muscovite >illite > kaolinite, talc.
An increase in the concentration of each phyllosilicate mineral
resulted in more complex suspension rheology, but the effect
was negligible except for montmorillonite where the
suspension behaviour shifted from near Newtonian to
pseudoplastic.
The effect of phyllosilicate minerals on the zeta potential of
chalcopyrite particles was varied. While 30% montmorillonite
and kaolinite had a very minimal effect, addition of 30%
muscovite to the chalcopyrite slurry resulted in the zeta
potential values being closer to the pure muscovite suggesting
full surface coverage of chalcopyrite particles. Addition of
30% talc and illite to the chalcopyrite suspension also resulted
in zeta potential values shifting between that of chalcopyrite
and these phyllosilicate minerals, as one may expect from
partial surface coverage.
Montmorillonite and talc were found to have the most effect
on chalcopyrite flotation. From this study, the deleterious
effect of montmorillonite can be related to both rheology and
froth stability. The deleterious effect of muscovite can also be
related to the surface coatings of the chalcopyrite particles (as
observed in the zeta potential results) which also affect the
froth stability. There is no evidence in this study to support the
 deleterious effect of talc, however, one may relate it to the
Kaolinite ability of talc to float and decrease the concentration grade, as
it is a naturally hydrophone phyllosilicate mineral.
Montmorillonite and talc were found to have the most effect
on chalcopyrite flotation. From this study, the deleterious
effect of montmorillonite can be related to both rheology and
froth stability. The deleterious effect of muscovite can also be
related to the surface coatings of the chalcopyrite particles (as
observed in the zeta potential results) which also affect the
froth stability. There is no evidence in this study to support the
deleterious effect of talc, however, one may relate it to the
Illite ability of talc to float and decrease the concentration grade, as
it is a naturally hydrophone phyllosilicate mineral.
The study undertaken here was conducted in a simplistic
manner. Indeed, the phyllosilicate minerals behave differently
with different effects on flotation performance. While not
underpinning the specific effects of the minerals, this study
has aided in better understanding the exact effects of each
mineral. More rigorous analysis would be required for in
depth understanding.

Talc
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge Yang Jiang, Annie
Nguyen and Elisheba Radke for practical testwork during their
summer vacation project at the JKMRC.

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