LAUSR

Purpose Tailings generated by sulphide ore processing at Chaabet El Hamra mine contain a variety of sulphide minerals such as pyrite, marcasite, sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite with carbonated and siliceous gangue. It is well known that the presence of pyrite can cause environmental threats, in particular the acid mine drainage risk (AMD), if there is not enough neutralizing potential. Waste chemical analyses show that the content of total sulphur (S) is more than 9 per cent, which could be possible to separate the pyrite from other heavy minerals based on interfacial property of these minerals, because the pyrite contain the sulphur-rich fraction. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the possibility of waste reprocessing using froth flotation of sulphuric bulk and depression-heavy minerals. It is environmental desulphurization that removes much of the high S fraction. Findings The results obtained in terms of S recovery and residual S content are interesting after merely 12 min of flotation by addition of potassium amyl xanthate collector (140 g/t), pine oil frother (10 g/t) and activation with copper sulphate (CuSO4+; 60 g/t) and at optimum pH of 5. Originality/value It can be shown from waste treatment by flotation of pyrite depression sphalerite collects significant desulphurization in sulphur content is 19 per cent against 8 per cent in the initial release.