A depressant is a chemical added to an ore slurry during the flotation process to render specific gangue or secondary minerals hydrophilic. This prevents them from attaching to air bubbles and rising to the froth layer. By keeping unwanted minerals in the liquid phase, metallurgists can selectively concentrate the target valuable mineral.
Increase the cyanide depressant in the rougher circuit to keep the pyrite from floating with the copper.
Related terms
Flotation
A mineral separation method that uses chemical reagents and air bubbles to lift specific target minerals to the surface of a liquid bath.
Activator
A chemical reagent added to an ore slurry to promote the flotation of specific minerals.
Concentrator
A facility or machine that separates valuable minerals from waste rock.
Tailings
The waste material left over after the valuable minerals have been extracted from ore.