Sodium Metabisulfite MBS for pH Control and Pyrite Depression in Flotation

Sodium Metabisulfite aka MBS is used for pH control in froth flotation to control Pyrite depression.  Below is a graph showing pH VS pyrite recovery at various collector addition rates. It is also used to prevent flotation of sphalerite by copper activation in the presence of Tennantite/Covellite in the ore.

For pyrite flotation, you see maximum iron/pyrite depression using Sodium Metabisulfite/MBS takes effect at around pH 6.

MBS will depress metals/minerals in the order as dosage increases:

  • Fe/Iron (Pyrite)
  • Zn/Zinc (Sphalerite)
  • Pb/Lead (Galena)
  • Cu/Copper (Chalcopyrite)

MBS Fe Iron Depressant

More about Reagent Practice in Flotation of Massive Sulphide Copper-Zinc Ores

pH MBS

Pyrrhotite Depressant in Polymetallic Flotation

Pyrite Depression

Selective Flotation for Copper-Lead-Zinc without Cyanide NaCN

https://www.911metallurgist.com/sequential-cu-pb-zn-flotation

https://www.911metallurgist.com/sequential-copper-lead-zinc-flotation