[01] Matveeva Tamara, Institute of Complex Exploitation of Mineral Resources, Russian Academy of Sciences (IPKON RAS), Moscow, Russia. [02] Ivanova Tatiana, Institute of Complex Exploitation of Mineral Resources, Russian Academy of Sciences (IPKON RAS), Moscow, Russia. [03] Gromova Nadezda, Institute of Complex Exploitation of Mineral Resources, Russian Academy of Sciences (IPKON RAS), Moscow, Russia.

The paper presents the results of study of adsorption and flotation properties of the reagents of plant origin - tannin and natural extracts - of the oak bark and leaves and stems of Heracleum plants, with a view to their application as low-cost environmentally friendly modifiers of Au-sulfide minerals in flotation of refractory ores containing precious metals. The technique of preparation of oak bark extract with a fixed content of extractable tannins has been developed. The mechanism of tannin adsorption on the surface of pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite was identified as to form stable ferrous (III) complexes at concentrations below micelle formation. The use of plant modifiers as selective depressants for pyrite, pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite could help to increase the quality of Au and Cu concentrates and reduce the ecological impact on the environment.

Plant Extracts, Modifier, Adsorption, Flotation

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