Introduction. It has been widely accepted that the chemical conditions in the process of grinding has a pronounced effect on the recovery and selectivity of sulphide minerals, such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, pyrrhotite, and sphalerite (Peng et al., 2003a, Peng et al., 2003b, Rey and Formanek, 1960, Pozzo and Iwasaki, 1987, Pozzo …