Flotation of fluorite from ores by using acidized water glass as depressant

The flotation of fluorite from ores by using acidized water glass (AWG) as depressant has been studied for the substitution of the commonly used depressant (soda ash plus sodium lignosulfonate). The experimental results have shown that the flotation with AWG could considerably improve the sedimentation rate of fine particles in tailing slurry and thus produce cleaner recycled water, compared with the actual depressant. Also, it improved fluorite recovery and flotation rate. In addition, it has been found that AWG could achieve higher selectivity between fluorite and gangue minerals (carbonate and silicate minerals) in fluorite flotation.