# US 2014/0197076 A1 · Activated flotation circuit for processing combined oxide and sulfide ores > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197076 A1 - Document ID: US20140197076A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/153,931 - Filed: 2014-01-13 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14 - Inventors: William D. Simmons - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197076A1 ## CPC - B03D 1/06: differential - B03D 1/002: Inorganic compounds - B03D 1/02: Froth-flotation processes - B03D 1/085: {of the feed, e.g. conditioning, de-sliming} - B03D 2201/007: Modifying reagents for adjusting pH or conductivity - B03D 2203/02: Ores - B03D 2203/04: Non-sulfide ores - B03D: FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D) ## Abstract A method of extracting targeted metallic minerals from ores that contain sulfide metallic minerals along with oxide minerals, carbonate minerals, silicate minerals, halide minerals or combinations thereof. In the method, an ore slurry containing the metallic mineral in oxide, carbonate, silicate or halide form is provided. The slurry is activated by adding sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite, whereby the targeted metallic mineral forms an intermediary metal complex with the sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite. One or more metal release components are introduced into the ore slurry; whereby the targeted metallic mineral is released from the intermediary metal complex to form a metal sponge. This metal sponge is then subjected to a flotation process, whereby the targeted metallic mineral is drawn out of the ore slurry and thereby extracted from the ore. ## Claims ### Claim 1 1) A method of extracting a targeted metallic mineral from an ore comprising the steps of: a) Providing an ore slurry containing the metallic mineral in oxide, carbonate, silicate or halide form; b) Activating the ore slurry by adding sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite, whereby the targeted metallic mineral forms an intermediary metal complex with the sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite; c) Introducing one or more metal release components into the ore slurry; whereby the targeted metallic mineral is released from the intermediary metal complex to form a metal sponge; d) Subjecting the metal sponge to a flotation process, whereby the targeted metallic mineral is drawn out of the ore slurry and thereby extracted from the ore. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 2) The method of claim 1, wherein the metal release component is one or more precipitants. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) 3) The method of claim 2, wherein the metal release component is one or more precipitants selected from the group consisting of iron, copper, zinc, carbon, aluminum, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate and sulfur dioxide. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) 4) The method of claim 1, wherein the metallic mineral is one or more minerals selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, vanadium, uranium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, zinc, aluminum, mercury, magnesium, manganese, chromium, gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rhodium. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) 5) The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite are added to the ore slurry during milling. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) 6) The method of claim 1, wherein the ore slurry is approximately 25% solids by weight. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) 7) The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium thiosulfate constitutes approximately 2%-6% by weight of the slurry. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) 8) The method of claim 7, wherein the sodium metabisulfite is added in sufficient quantities as to bring the pH of the slurry to approximately 5.5 to 6.0. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) 9) The method of claim 1, wherein the ore slurry comprises particle sizes of approximately 150-65 mill grade mesh. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) 10) The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium thiosulfate, sodium metabisulfite and metal release components are added in a single mixing vessel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) 11) The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium thiosulfate, sodium metabisulfite and metal release components are added in multiple mixing vessels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) 12) The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite are allowed to mix for approximately 20-30 minutes prior to adding the metal release component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) 13) The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite are allowed to mix for approximately 30-45 minutes prior to adding the metal release component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) 14) The method of claim 1, wherein the sodium thiosulfate, sodium metabisulfite and metal release component are allowed to mix for approximately 23 minutes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) 15) The method of claim 1, wherein the metal release component is in substantially powder form. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) 16) The method of claim 15, wherein the metal release component is iron powder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) 17) The method of claim 1, wherein the metal release component is substantially rod-shaped. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) 18) The method of claim 17, wherein the metal release component is iron. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) 19) The method of claim 1, wherein the metal release component is geometrically shaped. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) 20) The method of claim 1, wherein the metal release component is a screen.