Abstract: In order to achieve the selective separation of malachite and talc in sulfidization flotation,flotation tests were conducted using guar gum as an inhibitor,and the mechanism of its action was investigated by means of contact angle measurement,Zeta potential determination,FTIR and XPS analysis. The results of the flotation tests showed that the addition of guar gum could significantly reduce the interference of gangue mineral talc on malachite flotation. Under the conditions of pH = 10 and guar gum dosage of 30 mg / L, the floatability difference between malachite and talc in the pure mineral flotation test reached 57. 18 percentage points;In the artificial mixed ore test,the Cu grade of the concentrate increased by 4. 60 percentage points compared with that without guar gum,and the MgO grade decreased to 10. 72%,which significantly improved the concentrate quality and realized the effective separation of the two minerals. Mechanism analysis indicated that guar gum changed the surface properties of talc by making its surface transform from hydrophobic to hydrophilic;Moreover,guar gum could be selectively adsorbed on the surface of talc,with almost no adsorption on the surface of malachite,and the adsorption mode was physical adsorption. This process improved the flotation selectivity,enhanced the flotation efficiency of malachite,and thus realized the separation of malachite and talc. 

Key words: guar gum,inhibitor,malachite,talc,flotation separation ,