Abstract: The raw ore of Xinjiang Ruilun copper-nickel ore contains 0.14% copper and 0.51% nickel, belonging to the high nickel and low copper sulfide copper-nickel ore. The copper grade in the ore is relatively low, and contains a large number of gangue minerals such as talc and serpentine which are easily muddy, which adversely affects the efficient recovery of the copper-nickel sulfide ore. In order to efficiently develop and utilize the copper-nickel sulfide ore, a systematic beneficiation process was carried out. The laboratory closed-circuit test results show that: the fineness of grinding is -74 μm, accounting for 75%, sodium carbonate is used as pH regulator, copper sulfate is used as activator, and sodium silicate and CMC are depressant. Z-200, ammonium butyl aerofloat, butyl xanthate and amyl xanthate are the collectors, after two roughing, four cleaning, three scavenging copper-nickel mixed flotation, copper-nickel mixed concentrate with lime as pH regulator, Z-200 as collector, BK-204 as foaming agent. Copper concentrate containing 26.12% copper, 0.55% nickel, 76.49% copper recovery and 0.44% nickel recovery, nickel concentrate containing 10.42% nickel, 0.39% copper, 73.14% nickel recovery, and 9.97% copper recovery was obtained. The MgO is reduced to 5.88% in nickel concentrate. It solves the problem of high content of magnesium oxide impurities in nickel concentrate, improves the quality of concentrate and provides theoretical basis for on-site production.

Key words: Mixed flotation, Nickel pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Serpentine, Talc