Separation of diamond from gangue minerals
First Claim
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1. A process for separating diamonds from a slurry, wherein said diamonds include films of mineral salts causing secondary hydrophilization, comprising:
- adding sodium silicate, wherein said sodium silicate is added in an amount of 300 mg/l or greater, thereby reducing the effects of said secondary hydrophilization on the surface of said diamonds in said slurry thereby increasing the hydrophobicity of said diamonds;
adding at least one hydrophobic hydrophobicity-enhancing reagent to said slurry, said hydrophobicity-enhancing reagent at least partially absorbing on said diamonds in said slurry and further increasing the hydrophobicity of said diamonds; and
introducing air bubbles to said slurry so that said diamonds with increased hydrophobicity attach to said air bubbles and are separated from said slurry.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for separating diamond from gangue minerals. In particular, this method relates to the addition of a first reagent or reagents which contact the diamond in diamond ore slurry to at least partially remove hydrophilic coatings from the diamond surfaces. A second reagent or reagents may also be added to the slurry so that the reagent may adsorb on the diamond surfaces and thereby enhance the hydrophobicity of diamonds. The increase in hydrophobicity may improve the flotation of diamonds.
106 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A process for separating diamonds from a slurry, wherein said diamonds include films of mineral salts causing secondary hydrophilization, comprising:
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adding sodium silicate, wherein said sodium silicate is added in an amount of 300 mg/l or greater, thereby reducing the effects of said secondary hydrophilization on the surface of said diamonds in said slurry thereby increasing the hydrophobicity of said diamonds; adding at least one hydrophobic hydrophobicity-enhancing reagent to said slurry, said hydrophobicity-enhancing reagent at least partially absorbing on said diamonds in said slurry and further increasing the hydrophobicity of said diamonds; and introducing air bubbles to said slurry so that said diamonds with increased hydrophobicity attach to said air bubbles and are separated from said slurry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A process for separating diamonds from a slurry, wherein said diamonds include films of mineral salts causing secondary hydrophilization comprising:
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adding sodium silicate to said slurry, wherein said sodium silicate is added in an amount exceeding 300 mg/l, thereby reducing the effects of said secondary hydrophilization on the surface of said diamonds in said slurry thereby increasing the hydrophobicity of said diamonds; adding at least one hydrophobic hydrophobicity-enhancing reagent to said slurry, said hydrophobicity-enhancing reagent at least partially adsorbing on said diamonds and further increasing the hydrophobicity of said diamonds; and effecting separation by a grease table.
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Specification