Biogenic sulphide can replace sodium hydrosulphide in mineral processing for the separation of copper and molybdenum in flotation. Sodium hydrosulphide is used to provide reducing conditions to permit efficient separation of copper and molybdenum sulphides in many flotation operations around the world. Although NaHS is very effective for this purpose, it can be replaced by biogenic sulphide. The existing NaHS storage and delivery systems can remain in place and operable so that sulphide system availability can remain high in the event of planned or unplanned maintenance of either sulphide system.

BioteQ is currently evaluating a number of opportunities to supply reagent to mine operators.

Benefits of biogenic sulphide in copper-molybdenum flotation

• Lower cost than NaHS;
• Significantly reduced transportation and storage issues since biogenic reagent is produced on-demand at the mill site;
• No requirement to reduce pH to around 8 for optimum Cu-Mo separation by adding acid or CO₂ due to the highly alkaline NaHS;
• Potential for improvements in metallurgical performance due to the less alkaline conditions resulting from the use of biogenic sulphide and from not adding sodium hydrosulphide.
• Adding a biogenic sulphide supply system to an existing NaHS system would allow for very high overall system availability in the event of maintenance or problems with reagent market shortages.

Use of biogenic sulphide reagent in copper-molybdenum flotation: