Abstract: Copper and molybdenum sulfide ores are usually closely associated and have similar floatability.The flotation separation of copper-molybdenum sulfide ore has always been the focus of researchers.The floatation separation of copper-molybdenum mixed concentrate was introduced from two aspects of process and pharmacy.Mixed flotation process is often used in the copper-molybdenum flotation,and the floatability difference between chalcopyrite and molybdenite decreased after they interact with the collector,prior to the flotation separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite,pretreatment is usually carried out to reduce the use of depressants.Common pretreatment processes include heating treatment,concentration removal treatment,oxidation removal,plasma treatment and so on.For the problems existing in copper-molybdenum separation process,mineral processing workers put forward lots of new copper-molybdenum separation processes such as nitrogen-filled flotation,flotation column separation,pulsing high-gradient magnetic separation,and heating separation.The types and application of depressants for copper-molybdenum flotation separation were introduced.Inorganic inhibitors include sodium sulfide,cyanide,and noke’s agent,organic depressants include sulfhydryls,thios,xanthogens,etc.It is pointed out that before copper-molybdenum flotation separation,the pretreatment method of copper-molybdenum mixed concentrate needs further optimization to increase the difference of floatability between chalcopyrite and molybdenite.The copper-molybdenum separation depressants currently used in industry still have defects such as easy oxidation,high consumption,high toxicity,and high price.Therefore,it is necessary to increase investment in the development of new flotation depressant reagents with high efficiency,low toxicity,low cost and easy degradation.

Key words: Copper-molybdenum, Flotation separation, Pretreatment, Depressant