Starches and Starch Products as Depressants In Amine Flotation of Iron Ore

IN the flotation of iron ores laurylamine derivatives have been used for considerable time.12 To effect satisfactory separation of the gangue, predominantly silica, from the iron oxide minerals, the addition of specific depressants for the iron oxides has been found necessary. Starches and starch products have been used for this purpose. 3 There is, however, very little published information on the effects of these materials and other variables on this process. In some cases it has been found that prior acid scrubbing and desliming are essential, 4 and depending upon the efficiency of the subsequent washing step, there will be accompanying changes in pH. It was the object of this investigation to test and observe the effects of the above factor as well as to examine and compare the action of various starches and starch products.