Tannic Acid Pyrite Depressant

Eco-friendly alternative to cyanide

A highly selective depressant for pyrite in chalcopyrite-pyrite separation, effective at neutral and alkaline pH with environmental benefits.

Sun, Da · Li, Maolin · Zhang, Ming · Cui, Rui · Ye, Linfeng · Wang, Daowei · Yao, Wei

ACS Omega 2023

Advantages

Selectively depresses pyrite at neutral or alkaline pH

Strong adsorption on pyrite but minor adsorption on chalcopyrite

More FeOOH and Fe2(SO4)3 generated on pyrite surface enhance tannic acid chemical adsorption

After tannic acid adsorption, xanthate still adsorbs significantly on chalcopyrite but not on pyrite