Effect of EDTA on quartz and hematite flotation with starch/amine in an aqueous solution containing Mn2+ ions

Abstract In this paper, a detailed study of the influence of Mn2+ ions on quartz and hematite flotation (at pH 10.5 with starch/amine as depressor/collector) in the absence and presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is presented. By using zeta potential measurement and a careful analysis of manganese species present in water for dosages in which manganese hydroxide precipitated, we confirmed that the depression of both minerals by Mn2+ ions is due to the following: (i) the adsorption of Mn hydroxy complexes (Mn2(OH)3+ and Mn(OH)+); (ii) Mn2+ and mainly (iii) the precipitation of Mn...