Abstract: A copper ore in Gansu contains 1.6% copper, and copper mainly exists in form of chalcopyrite. However, poor single liberation degree and inconsistent floatability seriously affect the separation of chalcopyrite. Through the on-site conventional flotation process, qualified copper concentrate was received but its index is nonideal. Therefore, according to the properties of the ore, stage flotation tests are carried out with LP-01 with good selectivity as rapid flotation collector, Y-89 with good collecting ability as intensive flotation collector. Meanwhile, comparison tests with on-site simulation experiments were made. The results showed that by adopting the stage flotation process, copper concentrate 1 with Cu grade of 25.61% and copper recovery of 83.58% and copper concentrate 2 with Cu grade of 13.89% and copper recovery of 12.36% were obtained respectively. Taking together, the integrated copper concentrate is grading at 23.10% and its copper recovery rate reaches 95.94%; While by the on-site conventional process, copper concentrate with Cu grade of 21.86%% and copper recovery of 93.88% was received. In contrast, the stage flotation process improves Cu grade by 1.24%, and Cu recovery by 2.06% with obvious superiority.

Key words: Copper ore, Chalcopyrite, Stag flotation, Collector LP-01, Collector Y-89