The main ore minerals in the Gaisky deposit are pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. According to the material composition and textural and structural peculiarities, solid and disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite and chalcopyrite-phalerite natural types of ores are distinguished. At present the Gaisky concentrator processes copper and copper-zinc ores according to the gravity-flotation collective-selective scheme. Hardness and brittleness of minerals have the greatest influence on the result of ore processing. The nature and eminence of ores is mainly determined by the predominant mineral, pyrite. The hardness of pyrite is much higher than the hardness of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and bornite, so there is an overgrinding and slagging of useful minerals with simultaneous underdepositing of their clusters. The density of minerals, size and shape of their grains have a decisive influence on the results of gravity concentration, and native gold, pyrite and galena are accumulated in the concentrate. However, the flattening of gold during pre-grinding leads to its partial loss with gravity tailings. The flotation properties of minerals are decisively influenced by the surface character of the particles, which can be tentatively estimated by the reflection coefficient. Such connection can be used for qualitative prediction of heterogeneity and technological properties of sulfides. It is established that for all ore minerals from early to late generations the reflection coefficient, microhardness increase and the content of microimpurities and noble elements in particular decreases. The described regularities are reflected in distribution of minerals on products of technological processing, and this finally influences on quality of commodity products.
