Eastman-kodak Company

Cominco, Ltd.

Richard J Lobban

Michael Palmer

James T Furey

Certain water dissipatable polyester materials containing ether groups and metal sulfonate groups are useful as depressants for siliceous gangue in the froth flotation separation of zinc sulfide concentrates from complex ores containing, minerals of other metals such as lead and iron, as well as various silicon compounds. The polyester materials ae effective in amounts ranging from about 0.03 to about 1.5 kg/tonne of ore feed. Zinc rougher concentrates when conditioned with the depressant yields zinc cleaner concentrates containing less than about 1.5% silica without the need for extensive regrinding of the rougher concentrate. Particularly useful polyester material is prepared from an acid component of from about 80 to 85 mole % isophthalic acid with the remainder comprising mainy 5-sodiosulfoisopthalic acid, and a diol component of from about 50 to 60 mole % diethylene glycol with the remainder comprising mainly 1.4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

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Kimberley, Canada

Richard J Lobban