Abstract: By molecular mechanics simulated and caculated the action between Cu²⁺ and sphalerite, the interaction of the surface of sphalerite after the action of Cu²⁺ with butyl xanthate. The results show that Cu²⁺ can activate the flotation of sphalerite, the adsorption of Cu²⁺ on sphalerite may be regarded as chemical adsorption, after sphalerite activated by Cu²⁺ ,copper and zinc have interacted with butyl xanthate. Flotation tests and XPS analysis verify the conclusions made by molecular mechanics, and prove that molecular mechanics method can be used to reveal the activation mechanism of mineral flotation.

Key words: Molecular Mechanics, Cu²⁺, Sphalerite, Activation mechanism