Abstract
Collector type and pulp pH play an important role in the lead–zinc ore flotation process. In the current study, the effect of pulp pH and the collector type parameters on the galena and sphalerite flotation from a complex lead–zinc–iron ore was investigated. The ethyl xanthate and Aero 3418 collectors were used for lead flotation and Aero 3477 and amyl xanthate for zinc flotation. It was found that maximum lead grade could be achieved by using Aero 3418 as collector at pH 8. Also, iron and zinc recoveries and grades were increased in the lead concentrate at lower pH which caused zinc recovery reduction in the zinc concentrate and decrease the lead grade concentrate. Furthermore, the results showed that the maximum zinc grade and recovery of 42.9% and 76.7% were achieved at pH 6 in the presence of Aero 3477 as collector. For both collectors at pH 5, Zinc recovery was increased around 2–3%; however, the iron recovery was also increased at this pH which reduced the zinc concentrate quality. Finally, pH 8 and pH 6 were selected as optimum pH values for lead and zinc flotation circuits, respectively.
Highlights
The Gushfil Lead–Zinc mine is located in the Irankuh Mining District, 20 km South West of Esfahan city in Iran
It was shown that sphalerite could be activated by cuprous cyanide complexes in the lead flotation circuit and it leads to the copper adsorption on the sphalerite surface
A huge reduction of iron and zinc grade and distribution at pH 8 in the lead concentrate was observed. This pH was considered as optimum pH for the lead flotation due to higher grade and proper recovery of lead
Summary
The Gushfil Lead–Zinc mine is located in the Irankuh Mining District, 20 km South West of Esfahan city in Iran. In Gushfil flotation plant, galena is firstly floated in the lead circuit while sphalerite and pyrite are depressed by NaCN and Z nSO4. In both lead and zinc circuits, pyrite is the main sulphide gangue mineral. Increasing the recovery of lead and zinc flotation will decrease the adverse impact of produced tailings on the environment. This is not always easy due to the different behaviour of complex ores from pure single minerals. It was shown that sphalerite could be activated by cuprous cyanide complexes in the lead flotation circuit and it leads to the copper adsorption on the sphalerite surface. It was indicated that sphalerite can be separated from the mixture of sphalerite—galena using dextrin as a depressant for galena at pH 1 213
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