Ore Enrichment Research Articles

Radiation assessment of the loparite ore enrichment tailings from the Umbozero mine

Radiation assessment of the loparite ore enrichment tailings from the Umbozero mine

Минералого-геохимические особенности золотосодержащих руд месторождения Пакрут (Центральный Таджикистан) как основа гравитационного обогащения

The mining sector, in particular gold mining, plays an important role in the economy of Tajikistan. Today, the issue of optimizing gold mining mechanisms, increasing its efficiency and expanding the resource base is of topical importance. The depletion of easily accessible gold deposits is stimulating the development of methods for extracting gold from refractory and low-grade ores. One of the promising methods of pre-treatment of such ores is gravity enrichment. The aim of the study is to characterize the Pakrut gold deposit, to determine its mineralogical and chemical composition, and to develop an optimal gravity enrichment scheme for gold recovery. Research objectives are as follows: to study the mineralogical composition and geochemical characteristics of gold-bearing ores, and then to develop a technique for their gravitational enrichment. The object of the study is the gold-bearing ores of the Pakrut deposit (Central Tajikistan). Materials and methods of research: analytical work and enrichment in laboratory conditions were carried out in the chemical laboratory of the Pakrut Joint Venture, the ore enrichment laboratory of the V. I. Nikitin Institute of Chemistry of NANT, the Central Committee of the Main Geological Directorate under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. It is found that gold in the Pakrut ores is mainly represented by native gold and electrum. The main gold-bearing minerals are pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena, jamesonite and some vein minerals. The gold content in the ore is about 6 g/t. The granulometric composition of gold is extremely uneven. Most of the gold particles are less than 10 μm in size and are coated with gold-bearing minerals, which hindered their release during grinding. In accordance with the characteristics of the gold deposit, gravity enrichment method has been used to extract the liberated coarse gold. Studies have shown that the gravity separation process is used for the primary processing of ore to recover coarse gold particles. The gold content and recovery in the gravity separation concentrates are 46.58 g/t and 44.59 %, respectively.

Prospects of the Bug mining district as an agglomeration of ore and non-ore mineral deposits for the reconstruction of the national economy of Ukraine in the post-war period

The role and capabilities of Ukrainian geological science, production and investment capital in the reconstruction of the national economy of Ukraine during the war and post-war period are considered here using the example of the Bug mining district (BMD) of the Ukrainian Shield (USh).
 BMD is characterized by an extremely wide range of deposits and ore of minerals relatively close to the surface, among which the most important ones are graphite, iron ore and iron-manganese, nickel-chromium-cobalt deposits, deposits and ore occurrences of gold discovered by geologists and geophysicists for many years. Numerous deposits of building materials and kaolin are also known here. There are prospects for obtaining local agrochemical raw materials based on the development of apatite-containing ores and calcifers.
 The article lists and shows the location of mineral deposits and ore occurrences which arethe most well-prepared for industrial development and investments. The composition of ores and the content of useful substances are given for some of them.
 Two powerful industrial enterprises are located on the BMD square, i.e., the Zavallye graphite factory and the Bug ferronickel plant (currently repurposed for other products). They can be used to process the above-mentioned ore raw materials, with some improvement of technological processes. In this regard, the possibility and practicality of creating two centers (clusters) of integrated mining and industrial development of these useful resources were considered. One of them can be created on the basis of nickel-cobalt and iron ore deposits of BMD with an orientation towards the Bug ferronickel plant. The second center can be created based on the enrichment of iron-manganese oxide ores using the technical capabilities of the Zavallye graphite plant.
 In case of realization of the entire economic potential of the industrial development of graphite ores of the region, Ukraine could become a world leader in this field and receive significant funds to reconstruct the industry disrupted by the war.
 The BMD also meets all the geological and economic prerequisites to become the first region on the Ukrainian Shield for industrial gold mining.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY INCREASING OF ORE ENRICHMENT WASTES’ PROCESSING BY ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE METHOD

A promising and accessible raw material, comparable in terms of gold and silver content to natural ore deposits, is the lying tailings of ore flotation. Currently, billions of tons of ore tailings have been accumulated, the content of valuable components in which sometimes exceeds those in natural deposits. The processing of ore tailings from tailings for the extraction of non-ferrous metals in most cases requires complex beneficiation schemes, and in terms of technical and economic indicators and the quality of concentrates, they are uncompetitive compared to products of natural raw materials. An electric discharge method of disintegration of ore beneficiation waste to increase the number of available target components, based on the rational organization of crushing and grinding processes in relation to beneficiation tasks, was experimentally investigated. The pressure values of the compression waves generated by the electric discharge were determined to calculate the radius of effective selective influence on the studied waste samples of flotation beneficiation of copper-zinc ores. The necessary conditions for the effective operation of the technological part of the equipment are established: in the volume of the disintegrator, the pressure, created by the electric discharge, should not be less than the tensile strength of the processed material and at the same time should not exceed the strength of the disintegrator’s material. The use of the electric discharge method ensures the selectivity of disintegration of the material along the interphase boundary "dead rock - mineral inclusion", this circumstance allows to achieve a significant increase in the amount of mined valuable metals and simultaneously reduction of energy consumption by 2 - 4 times. Increasing energy efficiency is considered by the way of example with copper-zinc ore concentration’s waste. The increase in the number of target metals available in wastes of flotation concentration of copper-zinc ore after their electric discharge treatment is shown. The increase in the amount of copper extracted from copper-zinc ore enrichment waste was from 40 to 93% by mass, extracted zinc - from 39 to 94% by mass, silver extracted - from 16 to 50% by mass.

Purification of wastewater generated during the enrichment of potash ores

Purification of wastewater generated during the enrichment of potash ores

A Preliminary Investigation of the Operating Variables in a Laboratory Knelson Concentrator for Enrichment of Chromite Ore

A Preliminary Investigation of the Operating Variables in a Laboratory Knelson Concentrator for Enrichment of Chromite Ore

Tracing tungsten-tin mineralization processes with tourmaline geochemistry in the Wangxianling-Hehuaping district, Nanling Range (South China)

The mechanisms controlling the enrichment and separate precipitation of tungsten and tin ores are obscure. To unravel the physicochemical changes in the mineralization system during the magmatic-hydrothermal transition, we investigate the petrography, geochemistry, and boron isotopes of tourmaline in the Wangxianling-Hehuaping district (Nanling Range, South China). Four types of tourmalines were identified: Magmatic (Tur-WG) and hydrothermal (Tur-WV) tourmaline in the Triassic W-mineralized tourmaline-two-mica granite (ca. 220 Ma); Magmatic (Tur-SnG) and hydrothermal (Tur-SnV) tourmaline in the Jurassic Sn-mineralized biotite granite (ca. 155 Ma). Tur-WV and Tur-SnV have lower Fe3+/(Fe2+ + Fe3+) ratios than those of Tur-WG and Tur-SnG, suggesting that W-Sn mineralization occurred in a relatively reducing environment. In addition, the δ11B values of all four types of tourmalines are similar, suggesting that the ore-forming fluids were primarily exsolved from the granitic magma. Significant chemical variations (e.g., Mg, Fe, Sc, V, Ni, and REEs) between Tur-SnG and Tur-SnV may have been resulted from fractionation and intense ore fluid-wall rock reactions. In contrast, Tur-WG has similar chemical compositions to Tur-WV, suggesting that the Triassic W mineralization may have undergone a magmatic-hydrothermal process with little ore fluid-wall reaction. Tur-SnV has exceptionally high F content, which could enhance the Sn solubility and enrichment. This explains the low Sn content of granitic magmas with large-scale Jurassic tin mineralization. Considering that W has a large melt-fluid partition coefficient, we conclude that in the Triassic, W is enriched in the exsolved fluid from the granitic magma and precipitated with temperature drop. This may have caused the decrease in W content in the protolith and limited the Jurassic W mineralization. Subsequently, the mantle-derived F addition along the Chenzhou-Linwu fault in the Jurassic had led to Sn enrichment in the fluids, and mineralization is triggered by temperature drop and fluid-rock reactions. Eventually, the extensive Triassic W mineralization and Jurassic Sn mineralization exhibit the separation of tungsten-tin mineralization. The separated tungsten-tin mineralization model based on different volatile components could also be applicable to other tungsten-tin metallogenic belts.

Metrological assurance for the analytical control of flotation reagents based on aliphatic alkoxyamines in technological media and waste of iron ore enrichment processes

Methodological developments related to the determination of the content of cationic flotation reagents (collectors) based on aliphatic alkoxyamines (Flotigam EDA, Tomamine M-4213, Feiying: TG-928) in technological media and waste of iron ore enrichment processes are considered to ensure the analytical control of technological processes in view of a danger character of generated waste. A spectrophotometric method for determination of cationic amino-containing surfactants can be used for express- and screening analysis. The method of gas chromatography was used to increase the reliability of alkoxyamine measurement and in arbitration cases. The ranges of determinable content for the photometric method in aqueous media were 0.04 – 100 mg/dm3 (extended uncertainty from 20 to 25%) and 3 – 1000 (extended uncertainty from 22 to 30%) in solid media; whereas for gas chromatographic procedure the content ranged within 0.02 – 100 mg/dm3 (extended uncertainty from 20 to 25%) in aqueous media and from 1.0 to 1000 mg/kg (extended uncertainty from 20 to 30%) in solid media, respectively. The methods for determination of the main components, alkoxyamines, in commercial compositions of amine-containing flotation reagents are also presented. The methods have been tested in modeling flotation procedures (to optimize relevant conditions and regimes of real production), certified and included in the Federal State Information System (FSIS) «Arshin».

Multifractal Characteristics of Uranium Grade Distribution and Spatial Regularities in a Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit in Xinjiang, China

Based on an analysis of the spatial distribution of uranium grade in 338 boreholes of a uranium deposit in Xinjiang, the enrichment and spatial variation of uranium ore in two stopes of the deposit are discussed using multifractal theory. The distribution characteristics of the uranium ore of the two stopes are studied by multifractal parameters: the scaling exponent of mass τ(q), the scaling exponent α(q) of each sub-set and its corresponding fractal dimension f(α), the fractal dimension D0 and information dimension D1. The differences of uranium distribution in the two stopes can be quantified well by using multifractal spectrum and multifractal parameters such as Δα, Δf and R. After a comprehensive multifractal distribution analysis, 10 m × 10 m is defined as a fence unit, and the window sizes ε=3,6,9⋯,45 are set; the singularity exponents α of the two stopes are calculated by using this element concentration–area method. The results show that the multifractal theory and model can organically combine spatial structure information, scale change information and anisotropy information to obtain low-grade and weak mineral resources information and can effectively distinguish complex and superimposed anomalies. This will provide a basis for the local concentration and spatial variation rules of uranium distribution and the design of the parameters of the leaching uranium mining well site.

Parametric Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear Power for Simplified Models.

Electrifying the global economy is accepted as a main decarbonization lever to reach the Paris Agreement targets. The IEA's 2050 Net Zero transition pathways all involve some degree of nuclear power, highlighting its potential as a low-carbon electricity source. Greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear power reported in the life cycle assessment literature vary widely, from a few grams of CO2 equivalents to more than 100 g/kWh, globally. The reasons for such a variation are often misunderstood when reported and used by policymakers. To fill this gap, one can make LCA models explicit, exploring the role of the most significant parameters, and develop simplified models for the scientific community, policymakers, and the public. We developed a parametric cradle-to-grave life cycle model with 20 potentially significant variables: ore grade, extraction technique, enrichment technique, and power plant construction requirements, among others. Average GHG emissions of global nuclear power in 2020 are found to be 6.1 g CO2 equiv/kWh, whereas pessimistic and optimistic scenarios provide extreme values of 5.4-122 g CO2 equiv/kWh. We also provide simplified models, one per environmental impact indicator, which can be used to estimate environmental impacts of electricity generated by a pressurized water reactor without running the full-scale model.

Understanding adsorption mechanism of a novel “Y” structure carboxylate-hydroxamate surfactant towards rhodochrosite

High consumption and low selectivity of traditional collectors limit the efficient flotation recovery of rhodochrosite particles from finely disseminated complex ores. Herein, a novel “Y” structure multi-functional surfactant, 2-decanoylamino-4-hydroxycarbamoyl-butyric acid (DHBA) was developed for flotation recovery of rhodochrosite. The micro-flotation results showed that DHBA exhibited an excellent collecting ability for rhodochrosite than common collector octanohydroxamic acid (OHA) (the recovery reached 85.7% for 7 × 10–5 mol·L–1 DHBA, while only 27.9% for OHA). Meanwhile, DHBA can selectively separated rhodochrosite from quartz at neutral pH and low collector dosages. The experimental analysis combined with the density functional theory calculations revealed that DHBA was lattice matched to the rhodochrosite via the oxygen atoms of carboxyl and hydroxamate groups chelating with two Mn atoms, conferring strong adsorption affinity of DHBA. In addition, intermolecular hydrogen bonds coexist through the amide groups, promoting the collectors' self-assembly on the rhodochrosite surface, improving surface hydrophobicity. This research provides a feasible collector design protocol for the separation and enrichment of manganese carbonate ore.

Influence of Reagents on Qualitative Indicators of Artificial Anti-Deflationary Phytocenosis on Waste from a Rare Earth Tailing Facility.

This paper presents an assessment of the effect of various reagents on the qualitative indicators of anti-deflationary single-species sowing phytocenosis on enrichment waste from rare earth ores. It has been established that tailings of loparite ores are not suitable for biological reclamation due to low values of hygroscopic moisture (0.54-2.85%) and clay particles (17.6 ± 0.6%) and high content of bioavailable forms of aluminum (504 ± 14 mg/kg). Seeds of red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) were grown on the tailings of loparite ore enrichment with the addition of opoka (O), brucite (B), and vermiculite (V). The quality of the seed cenosis was assessed by the dry biomass of the above-ground parts of the plants and the plant height. A positive effect (one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD test (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01)) of the considered combinations of reagents on the growth of above-ground biomass from 31.5% (V) to 70.3 (V + O), 82.4% (V + B), and 81.8% (V + O+B) and on plant height from 53.8% (V) up to 78.6 (V + O), 83.8% (V + B), and 75.4% (V + O+B) was revealed. The use of a combination of V + O and V + B reagents made it possible to significantly reduce the content of Al (by 19.0% and 52.8%), Sr (by 16.5% and 12.9%), La (by 65.2% and 40.6%), and Ce (by 66.8% and 41.9%) in the aerial part of the sowing phytocenosis compared to control. The results obtained here can become the basis for development of a combined sorption technology for the reclamation of technogenically disturbed lands.

Optimization of carbothermal reduction of low-grade manganese ore utilizing microwave heating

The upgrading of low-grade Egyptian manganese ore, utilizing microwave carbothermal reduction, was investigated. Standard ore-dressing methods were found fruitless because of the complex linkage of iron and manganese phases. Thermodynamic calculations showed the possibility of iron oxide selective reduction in the Fe-Mn-Si-O-C system. The current experiments indicated that the mixture of low-grade manganese ore and charcoal powders has good microwave heating ability, besides iron metal balls formation, which resulted in ore enrichment. The iron balls characterization indicates a high purity as they contain about 97 %iron. The results showed that the most significant factor affecting the degree of reduction was the experiment exposure time, followed by the charcoal ratio. The maximum reduction of 84.45 % was attained at a microwave exposure time of 7 min, a charcoal ratio of 1.0, and a basicity of 0.28.

Novel application of depressant sodium mercaptoacetate in flotation separation of chalcopyrite and pyrite

The development of flotation reagents with high selectivity and strong depression ability is of great significance in the efficient enrichment of copper sulfide ores. In this work, a new depressant, sodium mercaptoacetate (SMA) has been explored for the flotation separation of chalcopyrite and pyrite, and the depression mechanism of SMA was studied by Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR), adsorption tests, local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test (LEIS), Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Micro-flotation tests showed that SMA strongly depresses pyrite in the pH range of 6–10. When the dosage of SMA is 2.5 × 10−5 mol/L, the dosage of SBX is 1 × 10−5 mol/L, and pH = 6.5, the concentrate with a Cu grade of 31.93% and chalcopyrite recovery of 85.97% can be obtained, in which the pyrite recovery was only 4.18%, respectively. The strong chemical adsorption between SMA and Fe atomic sites exposed on the surface of pyrite reduces the hydrophobicity of pyrite and hinders the adsorption of SBX. In comparison, SMA has less adsorption on the surface of chalcopyrite and hardly affects the further adsorption of SBX. It was shown that SMA could be used as an effective depressant for pyrite in the flotation separation of chalcopyrite and pyrite.

Ресурсосберегающая технология утилизации хвостов обогащения руд цветных металлов

Introduction. The article presents the results of research on the problem of waste disposal of ore processing by changing the properties of metal-containing raw materials. The research methods are based on experiments using the method of electrochemical activation of metal extraction processes. Results. The purpose of the study is formulated as modernization of the technology of extraction of metals from ores by leaching in relation to non-ferrous metals. It has been determined that the tailings of the enrichment of metal ores contain valuable metals that are not fully extracted by traditional methods of enrichment, which form compounds dangerous to the environment. It is determined that the leaching efficiency increases due to a decrease in the activated reaction area of the working solution with minerals containing the extracted metal. A mathematical description of the leaching kinetics is given depending on the surface area of the particles and the applied energy. Models for evaluating technology options and determining savings from the use of the phenomenon of mechanical activation are proposed. Discussion of the results. It is shown that a promising direction of metal extraction is combined chemical enrichment and mechanical activation with high energy in a disintegrator. It is determined that the activation of minerals in the disintegrator increases the recovery of metals by more than one and a half times, and the combination of grinding and leaching processes increases it even more. Conclusion: during the disposal of ore dressing waste, the mechanochemical activation of binders increases the extraction of metals, reducing risks to the environment.

New inorganic materials of the multi-functional action based on technogenic raw materials

The processing of minerals is associated with the generation of a huge amount of waste, accompanied by problems of depositing it and protecting the environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the elemental and phase composition of raw ore materials from enrichment wastes of some deposits in Kazakhstan and to create methods for their processing into new inorganic materials of multifunctional effect. It was established that the main components of the Ashiktas gold-sulfide-quartz ore enrichment wastes are quartz (96.4 wt%) and the mica mineral muscovite (3,6 wt%), harmful impurities in the form of lead, arsenic and antimony are practically absent, which makes it possible to recommend these wastes for the production of silicophosphate fertilizers. It was shown that the wastes of concentration of manganese ore of the Zhayrem deposit are mainly represented by quartzite (76.4 wt%), and also contain quartz (16.4 wt%) and brownite (2.4 wt%). The phosphate products synthesized based on these wastes by the acid-thermal method at 200°C, regardless of the phase composition of the initial wastes, are represented by the highly soluble hydrodiphosphates of the cations included in the raw materials, as well as silicon diphosphate. The obtained products have polyfunctional action and can be used as both silicophosphate fertilizers and metal corrosion inhibitors for aqueous media.

Improvement of operation of tailings storage facilities at mining and processing plants

Purpose. To study the schemes of transportation of iron ore enrichment tailings for their storage in the mined-out space of the spent mines in conditions of increased production of iron ore concentrate. The methods. The results of the study were obtained by means of a feasibility study for the comparison of five different schemes of transportation of enrichment tailings: rail transport, belt conveyor, rope-belt conveyor, tubular conveyor, pipeline. A comparative assessment of capital costs, annual operating costs and the number of employees of the process of transportation and storage of enrichment tailings in the mined-out space of the spent mine was carried out. Findings. The issue of transportation of iron ore enrichment tailings in conditions of open development of mineral deposits is considered. Different types of transport were considered from the point of view of delivery and storage of enrichment tailings. It has been established that the most effective modes of transport, from the point of view of cost reduction and environmental protection, are a tubular conveyor for transporting dry mass and a pipeline for pulp. It has been established that in some cases –provided there is a corresponding technological necessity –it is advisable to use the lower branch of the tubular conveyor for transportation. The originality. The dependence of capital and annual operating costs for the transportation and storage of enrichment tailings in the spent pit on the considered options for transportation by rail transport, belt conveyor, rope-belt conveyor, tubular conveyor, and pipeline was established. The dependence of the change in the number of workers involved in the process of transportation and storage of enrichment tailings on the scheme of their transportation has been established. Practical implementation. Reasonable conditions for the use of a tubular conveyor for the transportation of enrichment tailings to the produced space of the spent pit and to the beneficiation factory are substantiated. In schemes that provide for the reprocessing of enrichment tails, both branches of the tubular conveyor can be used as transport: the lower and the upper.

The use of raw materials of Western Kazakhstan for the production of acid-resistant

The results of studies of acid-resistant materials obtained from unenriched kaolin clay, chamotte fired from this clay at 1200 o C, and sludge tailings of chromite ore enrichment fired at 800 o C are presented. Studies have shown that it is impossible to obtain acid-resistant tiles from non-enriched kaolin clay without thinners that meet the technical requirements of the standard at 1300 o C. However, such tiles can be obtained by introducing 40 % chamotte into their composition. The use of burnt sludge tails in acid-resistant tiles in an amount of 40 % significantly increases the technical performance of acid-resistant tiles at a firing temperature of 1350 o C. The introduction of burnt sludge promotes the formation of refractory minerals: magnochromite, chromite, alumomagnesial spinel and forsterite. Ill. 4. Ref. 23. Tab. 7.

STUDY OF WATER ABSORPTION OF GEOPOLYMER MATERIALS BASED ON IRON ORE ENRICHMENT TAILINGS

As you know, the problem of environmental safety is important in the process of mining and processing of ore and non-metallic minerals. In the process of primary processing of ore minerals, the so-called enrichment tailings or production wastes are formed. The resulting waste accumulates in huge quantities, contributing to changes in the landscape and worsening the hydrogeological and sanitary conditions of the environment. In addition, rainfall and meltwater contribute to the constant leaching of heavy metals from waste dumps, which eventually leads to the pollution of groundwater, rivers and lakes. Therefore, the important ecological task of rational disposal of mining tailings is very relevant around the world. Research aimed at developing and obtaining new materials on the basis of this waste is of the greatest interest. One of such directions is the utilization (immobilization) of mining tailings when obtaining of geopolymer materials, which eliminates the leaching of heavy metals from the volume of the obtained material. Over the past 60 years, millions of tons of enrichment tailings have accumulated at the Dashkesan iron ore deposit, which are waiting to be disposed of. For this reason, the tailings of Dashkesan iron ore enrichment were used as a mineral filler for producing geopolymer material. Mineralogical and chemical compositions of enrichment tailings were studied using X-ray phase and X-ray fluorescence methods. Water absorption of the obtained specimens of geopolymer material was researched in accordance with the known methodology. It was revealed that with the increase of mineral filler content from 60 to 90%wt. the value of water absorption of geopolymer material specimens in the first five minutes of exposure increased from 1 to 10,2%, respectively. With the increase of mineral filler content from 60 to 90%wt. the maximum value of water absorption increases from 2,6 to 10,2%, respectively. Keywords: geopolymer, water absorption, enrichment tailings, iron ore.

Влияние сульфата железа, сернистого натрия и их смеси на флотацию сфалерита в щелочной среде

Introduction. The quality of the enrichment process is affected by many factors, ranging from the characteristics of the raw materials supplied to the enrichment plant to the enrichment technology and the agents used. Strict process control is required at all stages from mining to concentrate extraction. Copper-zinc ores of Russian deposits are difficult for enrichment due to high mass fraction of pyrite in ore and fine irregular intergrowth of sulfide minerals between themselves and with rock minerals. The practice of enrichment of copper-zinc ores has established that it is impossible to obtain high-quality zinc and pyrite concentrates without adding sphalerite flotation modifier agents to various flotation operations. To improve the flotation activity of sphalerite, copper sulphate is used as an activation additive in the enrichment process chain. Purpose of work. To study the effect of sulfhydryl collectors on flotation of sulfide minerals, and development of innovative technologies of flotation of copper-zinc and polymetallic ores considering the acidity of the environment. Materials and methods. In the experimental part of the work, several methods of materials and agents preparing were used, a variety of equipment was used, as well as methods of analysis and processing of results. The material composition and grain size distribution of sphalerite was studied using the MLA System Quanta. X-ray phase analysis of sphalerite was carried out at the University of science and technology "MISIS" in Research Laboratory of ultra-hard materials on Rigaku Geigerflex device using monochromatized CuKα-radiation. Thermographic studies were carried out using a Q -1500D derivatograph. The following flotation agents were used in the work: collector - butyl potassium xanthate, foam agent MIBC, medium regulator - lime, modifiers - iron sulfate, sodium sulphide and mixture of iron sulfate and sodium sulphide. Flotation experiments were carried out on the laboratory flotation machine FL-189 G. Results. The kinetics of sphalerite flotation is characterized not by a single value of the flotation kinetics constant for all flotation mineral grains, but by a set of such values corresponding to quite certain fractions of sphalerite extracted in the foams product. It has been found that in the initial period of flotation the mineral grains with a high value of the flotation velocity constant are flotated, and in the final period of flotation the grains of the same mineral with a low value of the same flotation velocity constant are flotated. Discussion. The introduction of iron (II) sulphate into the mineral slurry leads to a redistribution of the flocculated mineral between medium and lightly flocculated fractions. This indicates that iron (II) sulphate acts as an activator for sphalerite flotation. At a low flow rate of this agent, the proportion of medium flotable fractions increases and the proportion of easily and hardly flotable fractions decreases. With increase in the agent consumption up to 400 g/t and more, the opposite picture is observed - the proportion of medium flotable fraction decreases and the proportion of easily flotable fraction increases in flocculated sphalerite. The replacement of iron (II) sulphate by sodium sulphate has the opposite effect on the flotation spectrum of sphalerite. The introduction of a mineral suspension of a solution of sodium sulfide and iron (II) sulfate into the liquid phase at a consumption of 200 g/t of each agent leads to a decrease in the proportion of easily and especially medium floatable fractions of the mineral and an increase in the proportion of difficultly floatable fractions. Conclusions: 1. An increase in the pH of pulp liquid phase leads to a decrease in the extraction of zinc concentrate in the foam product during flotation with butyl xanthate. 2. The introduction of a solution of sodium sulfide with ferrous sulfate reduces the floatability of the mineral, which is reflected in a decrease in the extraction of zinc concentrate. 3. Sodium sulfide and iron sulphate, while simultaneously dosing them into the flotation pulp, act as depressants in the sphalerite flotation process. 4. Sodium sulfide depresses sphalerite at all studied pH concentrations. Resume. The results of the research can be useful in improving the methods for processing sulfide ores (lead-zinc and copper-zinc) which are included in the group of polymetallic ores. The developed methods of flotation processing make it possible to improve the quality of enrichment and increase the extraction of a valuable component.