Flotation process of lead-, copper-, uranium- and rare earth minerals

Abstract

A process and flotation agents are provided for flotation of lead-, uranium-, and rare earth-type minerals and ores in which an aqueous pulp of the mineral or ore is subjected to a froth flotation, characterized in that the flotation is performed in the presence of a tertiary amine flotation agent having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is a aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from about six to about twenty four carbon atoms; A is an oxyalkylene group having from about two to about four carbon atoms; X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxyl; m is a number within the range from 0 to about 10; n .sub.1 is a number within the range from 1 to about 4; n .sub.2 is 1, 2 or 3; x is a number within the range from 0 to about 4; y is 0 or 1; The sum of m + y being within the range from 1 to about 11; and salts thereof. The process is especially applicable in the flotation of sulphide and oxide ores and minerals.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.