Abstract
This study attempts to assess the contribution of entrainment and true flotation in the overall recovery by the laboratory tests performed on a natural complex sulfide ore, provided by la Compagnie MiniSre des Guemassa (Morocco), and the effect of two different collectors, Potassium Amyl Xanthate (PAX) and Sodium di-isobutyl di-thiophosphinate (Aerophine 3418A), on the two contributions. Overall recovery and true recovery were fitted to first kinetic model and modified flotation parameters were calculated to measure of flotation separation selectivity of chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite over gangue and pyrrhotite. To estimate the entrainment, Ross method was the most suitable in the case of complex sulfide ore with high content of pyrrhotite. Trahar method overestimates the effect of entrainment.