Abstract: The effect of high voltage pulse breakage （HVPB） pre-treatment on Duobaoshan copper ore in terms of liberation improving， pre-weakening and pre-concentration were investigated by comparing the ore properties and flotation performance between products of high voltage pulse breakage and mechanical breakage. Duobaoshan copper ore particles of 26.5~31.5 mm were pre-treated by a self-made high voltage pulse processing system at 140 kV. Comparative sample were prepared by mechanical breakage with the same conditions. The product of HVPB and mechanical breakage were tested in terms of hardness index A×b value， Bond Ball Work Index （BBWI）， Cu grade distribution， liberation degree and flotation properties. Results indicated that the hardness index A×b value and BBWI of HVPB product were increased by 33.9%~39.8% and decreased by 3.6 kWh/t respectively， comparing to mechanical breakage product. The Cu grade of HVPB product increased rapidly with the decrease of particle size. Therefore 69.2% of Cu element could be pre-concentrated into the -13.2 mm product of which the yield is 36.1%. By improving the liberation of minerals， HVPB could increase the flotation recovery of Cu by 2.33 percent points and increase the concentrate grade by about 1 percent point. The testing results will provide reference for the high efficient and low costing recovery of low-grade copper ore.

Key words: High voltage pulse breakage, Pre-treatment, Copper ore, Pre-weakening, Pre-concentration, Liberation improvement