Abstract: In order to explore and optimize the low alkalinity copper-sulfur separation flotation pro‐ cess suitable for Dabaoshan Copper Mine in Guangdong Province, to solve the problems of high lime dosage, large circulation of middle ore and high cost of beneficiation reagents in the traditional high alkalinity pro‐ cess. A new reagent JY-1 (copper sulfide collector) was used to replace the existing collector ethylthiocarba‐ mate and Jiangtong No.1, and JD-1 (pyrite inhibitor) was used to replace the original inhibitors lime, sodium humate and sodium sulfide. The comparative test of high and low alkalinity copper-sulfur separation process was carried out in laboratory test. The results show that the copper concentrate with copper grade of 17.13% and copper recovery of 78.24% can be obtained under the condition of high alkalinity process (pH=9.5). The copper concentrate with copper grade of 16.89% and copper recovery of 81.62% can be obtained under the condition of low alkalinity process (pH=8). Therefore, compared with the high basicity copper-sulfur separa‐ tion process, the low basicity copper-sulfur separation process can improve the copper recovery rate of cop‐ per concentrate by 3.38 percentage points under the premise of similar copper concentrate grade. The com‐ parative experimental study shows that the low alkalinity copper-sulfur separation process test can efficient‐ ly separate copper-sulfur ore and improve copper recovery rate. The process has simple reagent system and low production cost.The results has important guiding significance for the innovation and progress of copper�sulfur separation technology in Dabaoshan Copper Mine.

Key words: copper-sulfur ore, copper-sulfur separation, high/low alkalinity process, copper collec‐tor, sulfur inhibitor