This work presents and discusses results from zeta potential measurements and flotation response of rhodonite, rhodochrosite and quartz, in the presence of sodium fluorsilicate and sodium oleate. At concentrations of Na2SiF6 smaller than 10mg/L, at pH 9, quartz is more intensively depressed than rhodonite, whereas the flotation response of rhodochrosite is slightly affected either at pH 9 or pH 11. Results from measurements of zeta potential versus pH indicate that IEP of rhodonite (pH=2.8) is similar to those reported in literature, whereas the value o IEP of quartz (pH<2.0) and rhodochrosite (pH=10,8) differ slightly from literature. Zeta potential of rodonite, quartz and rhodochrosite, in the presence of sodium fluorsilicate and/or sodium oleate, become more negative at basic medium. Based on the experimental results and collector (sodium oleate) plus depressant (sodium fluorsilicitate) speciation, some inference on the adsorption mechanisms of these reagents upon rhodonite, quartz and rhodochrosite is maintained.
Manganese; rhodonite; rhodochrosite; quartz
