Organosolv lignin particles as an ecological reagents in the Kupfershiefer copper ore flotation

Mineral separation relies heavily on the process of flotation. This study explored the feasibility of using organosolv lignin nanoparticles and microparticles (OLP) as a greener alternative to xanthates in the flotation process for mineral separation. Xanthates are widely used but pose environmental and health risks. The efficiency of OLP as collectors was compared to collectorless flotation, resulting in approximately 50% copper recovery, indicating that OLP may not be a suitable replacement for xanthates. Further tests were conducted using a mixture of xanthates and OLP (birch nano and spruce micro) with varying substitution levels (20%, 30%, and 40%). The results demonstrated that increasing the dosage of OLP led to a decrease in flotation efficiency for copper. TOC analysis of the products revealed that high dosages (160 g/t) of birch nano and spruce micro as sole collectors showed beneficiation and selective recovery against copper. While OLPs did not prove effective as collectors, the study highlights their potential as substitutes for maltodextrin in selective flotation of the final concentrate. Two out of four tested OLPs were recommended for pilot scale testing.