Fig. 7 shows the effect of clay minerals on copper flotation
recovery and apparent viscosity of flotation slurries at a shear rate
of 100 s1. Without the addition of any clay mineral, 83% copper
recovery was obtained from the flotation of the clean ore. The addition
of Snobrite had little effect on copper flotation. For example,
the addition of 5%, 10% and 15% Snobrite produced 81%, 82%, and
83% copper recovery, respectively. The addition of Q38 slightly
decreased copper flotation. As shown in Fig. 7, the addition of 5%,
10% and 15% Q38 produced 77%, 79% and 80% copper recovery,
respectively. However, bentonite had a more deleterious effect
on copper flotation. With an increase in bentonite concentration,
copper recovery was decreased. A turning point was observed at
10% bentonite concentration beyond which copper recovery was
significantly decreased