Technology difficulties and progress of froth flotation on sulfide nickel-copper ore

The process of sulfide nickel-copper ore by flotation，many technical difficulties such as sulfide nickel-copper minerals liberated difficultly，gangue minerals containing magnesium confounding easily，chemical changes of solution in surry during grinding and flotation separation，and high content of nickel and copper in nickel concentrate and copper concentrate after froth flotation were detailedly summerized in the paper.The characteristics of selective flotation，bulk flotation，multi-stage grinding-flotation，desliming-flotation and leaching process were presented respectively.Subsequently，the application of new reagents in floation process of sulfide nickle-copper ore were reviewed and the influence of the type of grinding medium and electrochemistry environment in flotation process were also analyzed.The future development trend of flotation technology of sulfide nickel-copper ore is put forward，and it is possible that the strengthening of magnetic separation，bioleaching and other non-flotation process will increase the recovery of nickle.