Use of alkoxylated amines as collector agents for ore beneficiation

A flotation pulp, comprising water, ground ore containing impurities, and at least compound represented by formula (1):

• wherein:
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of
• a direct bond,
• a C1-C20, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain optionally substituted by one or more —OH group(s), a substituted alkylene radical wherein the alkylene radical is substituted by 1 or 2 —OH groups, an alkenylene radical having from 1-20 carbon atoms, a substituted alkenylene radical, wherein the alkenylene radical is substituted by 1 or 2 methyl and/or methylene groups,
• a cycloalkylene group,
• a cycloalkenylene group, and
• an arylene group;
• R4 is a hydrocarbyl group containing 8-24 carbon atoms or a group represented by the formula R6—O-(A′O)w-T-,
• wherein:
• R6 is a hydrocarbyl group containing 8-24 carbon atoms,
• w is an integer ranging from 0 to 20,
• A′O is an alkyleneoxy group containing 2-4 carbon atoms, and
• T is alkylene group containing 1-6 carbon atoms;
• R5 is a hydrocarbyl group or a benzyl group;
• X is a leaving group selected from halogens, sulphates and carbonates;
• AO is an alkyleneoxy group containing 2-4 carbon atoms;
• n is an integer of from 1 to 20;
• t is 0 or 1;
• y is 0 or 1;
• p ranges from 1 to 15;
• G is a group represented by formula (III):
• wherein:
• B is an alkyl group containing 1-4 carbon atoms or a benzyl group,
• s is 1, 2 or 3,
• R5, X, and t are as defined above, and
• wherein the group —(CH2)s— is a spacer between the nitrogen atom in formula (III) and the nitrogen atom in formula (1) which is linked to formula (III).

Tailings comprising floated impurities and at least one compound represented by formula (1):

• wherein:
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of
• a direct bond,
• a C1-C20, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain optionally substituted by one or more —OH group(s), a substituted alkylene radical wherein the alkylene radical is substituted by 1 or 2 —OH groups, an alkenylene radical having from 1-20 carbon atoms, a substituted alkenylene radical, wherein the alkenylene radical is substituted by 1 or 2 methyl and/or methylene groups,
• a cycloalkylene group,
• a cycloalkenylene group, and
• an arylene group;
• R4 is a hydrocarbyl group containing 8-24 carbon atoms or a group represented by the formula R6—O-(A′O)w-T-,
• wherein:
• R6 is a hydrocarbyl group containing 8-24 carbon atoms,
• w is an integer ranging from 0 to 20,
• A′O is an alkyleneoxy group containing 2-4 carbon atoms, and
• T is alkylene group containing 1-6 carbon atoms;
• R5 is a hydrocarbyl group or a benzyl group;
• X is a leaving group selected from halogens, sulphates and carbonates;
• AO is an alkyleneoxy group containing 2-4 carbon atoms;
• n is an integer of from 1 to 20;
• t is 0 or 1;
• y is 0 or 1;
• p ranges from 1 to 15;
• G is a group represented by formula (III):
• wherein:
• B is an alkyl group containing 1-4 carbon atoms or a benzyl group,
• s is 1, 2 or 3,
• R5, X, and t are as defined above, and
• wherein the group —(CH2)s— is a spacer between the nitrogen atom in formula (III) and the nitrogen atom in formula (1) which it-is linked to formula (III).