Effect of Certain Sulfoxide Compounds on the Flotation of Pyrite.

The sorption of xanthate on pyrite from which oxides and sulfoxides have been partially removed is insignificant (10 to 15%). The addition of sodium sulfite to the xanthate solution (ph equals 7. 3 to 10) leads to a reduction of its concentration. The rate of reduction of the xanthate concentration depends on the type of xanthate, the sulfite concentration, the solution storage time, the degree of dilution of the solution, the addition of a sulfite oxidation inhibitor (for example, thiosulfate), the solution pH, and certain other factors.