Lead-zinc Ore Research Articles

Application of Aeromagnetic Survey in Detecting Potential Mineralization Zones Around Dongzhongla Deposit, Gangdese Metallogenic Belt

The Dongzhongla deposit is a skarn-type lead–zinc ore deposit located in the eastern segment of the Gangdese metallogenic belt, situated in the Xizang province, China. The high-altitude mountainous terrain of the region poses significant challenges to ground-based exploration. To facilitate more accurate mineral exploration in the deposit and its surrounding area, a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey was conducted over the mining area and its periphery. The airborne magnetic data were processed using derivative and Euler deconvolution methods, yielding results that reflect the geological structural features of the study area. By integrating the geological characteristics of the ore deposit, we inferred that the areas of magnetic anomaly extensions and the peripheries of other magnetic anomalies are favorable zones for mineralization, providing positive leads for further mineral exploration.

Influence of surface oxidation rate on the flotation of sphalerite and galena inhibited by gum arabic

Differences in the flotation behavior of galena and sphalerite using potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and gum arabic (GA) alone and using a mixture of KMnO4 and GA were investigated. The single mineral flotation tests revealed that when KMnO4 and GA were used individually, galena and sphalerite flotation were inhibited, but the reagent dosages required were large. Sphalerite was strongly inhibited by the addition of a tiny amount of GA after oxidation with KMnO4 while galena was not inhibited under the same conditions. Following oxidation by KMnO4, galena and sphalerite exhibited a significant 83 % difference in flotation recovery when 10 mg/L GA was used, which clearly showed the potential for the combined use of KMnO4 and GA to achieve flotation separation of galena from mixed lead-zinc ores. The inhibitory effect of GA on sphalerite was investigated through a combination of analytical techniques, including Microcalorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis. The results displayed that sphalerite had a much higher oxidation rate than galena, resulting in more oxides and hydroxides. As a result, the sphalerite surface exhibits an increased availability of active sites favorable to GA adsorption, thereby impeding Butyl xanthate (PBX) adsorption. However, the galena surface was able to absorb PBX, resulting in mineral separation.

Sources of lead in a Tibetan glacier since the Stone Age

The Tibetan Plateau glaciers, among the world’s most remote and pristine places, provide water to millions and play a vital environmental role. We measured the lead isotopic composition in a dusty ice core from the Guliya ice cap in northwest Tibet, from approximately 36 thousand years Before Present (Stone Age) to 2015, to determine the onset and sources of anthropogenic lead. Despite the dust-laden nature of the core, a clear change in the lead isotope signature to below Stone Age levels started in 1949 followed by a rapid decrease in 1960 and an even more rapid decrease in 1974 indicating the first emergence of anthropogenic lead. Accurate isotopic lead measurements allowed us to better, and more sensitively, quantify sources using a Bayesian mixing model. Chinese gasoline was the primary anthropogenic source surpassing natural contributions in the 2000s until 2007 when emissions from leaded gasoline decreased and those from coal and lead-zinc ores increased.

Particle Shape-Based Evaluation of the Leaching of Sphalerite Ore in Dilute Acid Solutions

In this study, the effects of changes in particle shapes on dissolution efficiencies in zinc (Zn) recovery from a lead-zinc (Pb-Zn) ore by acid leaching method were investigated. In the experiments with nitric acid (HNO3), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and hydrochloric acid (HCl), particle size (75-106-150 µm), solids ratio (5-10-15-20-25%), leaching time (30-60-120-180-240 min), acid dosage (0.25-0.5-1-2-5 M) and pulp temperature (30-40-50-60-70 oC) parameters were analyzed. Optimum results were obtained under the conditions of 75 µm particle size, 15% solids ratio, 120 min leaching time, 0.5 M acid dosage, and 50°C pulp temperature for H2SO4; 106 µm particle size, 25% solids ratio, 60 min leaching time, 0.5 M acid dosage, and 70°C pulp temperature for HCl; 75 µm particle size, 20% solids ratio, 60 min leaching time, 1 M acid dosage, and 50°C pulp temperature for HNO3. As a consequence of the tests performed under these optimized conditions, 97.32%, 96.38% and 96.06% Zn dissolution efficiencies were obtained. Within the context of particle shape factor research, microscope images of the leaching residues were obtained from the experiments in which the pulp temperature, acid dosage, and leaching time parameters were examined. The samples obtained from the experiments with all three acids were compared with the ore samples, and the impacts of changes in circularity, roundness, and solidity values on dissolution efficiencies were interpreted.

Variability of lead-zinc sulfide ore slurry rheological properties and its influence on flotation conditions

We investigated how the rheological characteristics of a flotation slurry change in response to variations in mineral species, slurry concentration, and particle size; slurry pH; and trap and rheological control reagent concentrations using slurries containing galena, sphalerite, quartz, and kaolinite. The results indicate that reducing particle size and increasing slurry concentration leads to varying degrees of increase in apparent viscosity and yield stress. At the same particle size, the slurry exhibits the following order of apparent viscosity and yield stress: kaolinite > galena > sphalerite > quartz. In addition, as the slurry’s apparent viscosity and yield stress increase, the rheology decreases, creating progressively unfavorable conditions for the flotation of lead, zinc, and other target minerals. Furthermore, changes in pH have no significant effect on the slurry’s rheology when the slurry is comprised of vein minerals. Moreover, galena and sphalerite depict particle agglomeration in the slurry. Ultimately, the addition of sodium silicate as a rheological control reagent substantially enhances the slurry’s rheological properties. This results in a system where problematic minerals like kaolinite are more effectively dispersed, thereby promoting efficient lead-zinc mineral flotation. Regarding the flotation of lead sulfide and zinc minerals, the addition of kaolinite raises the apparent viscosity of the mixed slurry, hindering the flotation of the target minerals. Conversely, quartz lowers the apparent viscosity aiding the flotation separation process. Understanding the relationship between flotation conditions and the pulp’s rheological properties can provide valuable guidance for subsequent flotation tests.

Application of soil magnetometry and geochemical methods to investigate soil contamination with antimony

The aim of the study was an assessment of the pollution level and identification of the antimony sources in soils in areas subjected to industrial anthropopressure from: transport, metallurgy and electrical waste recycling. The combination of soil magnetometry, chemical analyzes using atomic spectrometry (ICP-OES and ICP-MS), Sb fractionation analysis, statistical analysis (Pearson’s correlation matrix, factor analysis) as well as Geoaccumulation Index, Pollution Load Index, and Sb/As factor allowed not only the assessment of soil contamination degree, but also comprehensive identification of different Sb sources. The results indicate that the soil in the vicinity of the studied objects was characterized by high values of magnetic susceptibility and thus, high contents of potentially toxic elements. The most polluted area was in the vicinity of electrical waste processing plants. Research has shown that the impact of road traffic and wearing off brake blocks, i.e. traffic anthropopression in general, has little effect on the surrounding soil in terms of antimony content. Large amounts of Pb, Zn, As and Cd were found in the soil collected in the vicinity of the heap after the processing of zinc–lead ores, the average antimony (11.31 mg kg−1) content was lower in the vicinity of the heap than in the area around the electrical and electronic waste processing plant, but still very high. Antimony in the studied soils was demobilized and associated mainly with the residual fraction.

Kill two birds with one stone: Efficient leaching of germanium and recovery of lignite from germanium-rich lignite by thionyl chloride

Germanium, a critical metal, is predominantly located in lignite and lead–zinc ore. The germanium was commonly extracted from the fly ash of germanium-rich lignite (GRL), however, facing the challenges of specific combustion conditions, low lignite’s thermal efficiency and value, high CO2 emissions, and waste acid treatment. Therefore, in this work, a novel method for directly leaching germanium from the GRL was proposed, facilitating low-carbon extraction under mild conditions, and reducing lignite loss during leaching process. Results showed that leaching germanium from the GRL using thionyl chloride achieved the goals of “kill two birds with one stone”, i.e., leaching efficiency of germanium above 95 wt% and recovery yield of lignite over 95 wt%. Specifically, the theoretical leaching efficiency of germanium reached 99.60 wt% while the recovery yield of lignite reached 86.35 wt%, at the temperature of 20 °C, liquid–solid ratio of 4 mL/g, and leaching time of 6 h. Most of the leached germanium was remained in the aqueous phase after the leaching solution was quenched, facilitating the subsequent separation of germanium. In this study, efficient extraction of germanium from the GRL was achieved with a high recovery yield of lignite, preserving the matrix structure and main composition of lignite. Therefore, this method provides a feasible way for efficient extraction of germanium from lignite with low-carbon emission under mild condition.

Interaction and selective treatment of lead-zinc flotation wastewater for wastewater recycling using ectrocatalytic internal micro-electrolysis

Lead-zinc flotation wastewater discharge poses a growing risk to environmental safety, and efficient treatment is challenging due to large quantities of water, combined pollution, and the limitations of current approaches. This study discussed the removal differences, available treatment approach, interaction characteristics, and mechanisms of heavy metals (Pb2+ and Zn2+), flotation reagents (butyl xanthate (BX), and dianilino dithiophosphoric acid (DDA)) in single and composite systems using electrocatalytic internal micro-electrolysis (ECIME). Density functional theory (DFT), solubility, and UV spectrum analyses revealed that the high chemical potential of the (BX)2M, (DDA)2M complexes in lead-zinc flotation wastewater played key roles for the solubility and ECIME removal of these pollutants. The complexes significantly inhibited activated carbon (AC) interface adsorption, as well as DDA and (DDA)2M degradation and Fe(II)–Fe(III)–OH flocculation. Prolonging the treatment times for Pb2+, Zn2+, BX, and (BX)2M effectively alleviated the inhibitory effect. However, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis also highlighted the difficulty of the electrochemical reduction deposition of the Pb2+ and Zn2+ reactions. Comparatively, the DDA and (DDA)2M in composite systems showed higher electrochemical stability, while degradation was highly dependent on high voltage and exhibited temporal hysteresis in the ECIME system. The DDA removal rate only reached 60% after ECIME treatment at 45 V for 90 min, while the values of Pb2+ and Zn2+ (9 V, 30 min) and BX (18 V, 70 min) exceeded 90% and exhibited significantly disadvantage effect when voltage was larger than 18 V. Based on the their distinguishing characteristics of ECIME removal and flotation beneficiation effect, an alternative suggested removing of Pb2+, Zn2+ and BX while preserving DDA and (DDA)2Pb in lead-zinc flotation wastewater could be achieved by regulating the reaction potential and time. By adjusting the ECIME settings to a voltage of 15.2 V, a period of 45 min, and a pH of 5.5, a comprehensive removal rate of 97.59% was achieved. Additionally, recycling wastewater at proportions of 50–70% will not lead to confusion in the selection of lead-zinc ore. The results demonstrated the feasibility and economic efficiency of selective removal and reuse, showing considerable potential for practical application.

Chemical oxidation co-coagulation-flocculation for the flotation wastewater treatment of lead-zinc oxide ore from Lanping mine

The flotation wastewater produced by "lead preferred flotation-zinc flotation" all-open process with aids of mixed depressants and cationic-anionic collectors has a high turbidity and multitude of reagent contaminants, and fails to meet the discharge standards. This study objective is to remove fine solid particles and flotation reagents in this wastewater by chemical oxidation co-coagulation-flocculation process. Results of chemical oxidation tests indicate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) exhibits superior performance on decreasing COD, and the COD remarkably decreases to 71.8 mg·L<sup>-1</sup> with 100 mg·L<sup>-1</sup> PMS addition after 120 min. Moreover, the combined oxidation of radicals (SO<sub>4</sub><sup>•-</sup> and •OH) are responsible for degradation of flotation reagents (Na<sub>2</sub>S, DCCH, xanthates and amine) in the wastewater. Results of experimental factors confirm that the turbidity of wastewater decreases significantly from 124796 to 71.4 NTU, and the yield of water reaches above 90% with combined usage of lime (500 mg·L<sup>-1</sup>) and polyacrylamide (PAM, 50 mg·L<sup>-1</sup>). Besides, the contents of S, P, N, Zn Pb and Fe decrease, and meet the discharge standards. Results of zeta potential analysis suggest lime reduces the electrostatic repulsion between particles, and PAM plays a bridge link role between particles, accelerating the precipitation of suspended particle.

Spatial diffusion of potentially toxic elements in soils around non-ferrous metal mines

This study focuses on the diffusion patterns of principal ore-forming elements (Pb and Zn) and associated elements (Cd, Cu, Cr, and As) in lead-zinc ore. Sampling points in upwind and downwind directions of lead-zinc ore areas at various densities (1 N/km2 – 4 N/km2) were categorized. This study analyzed the statistical relationship between the content of PTEs in the soil around lead-zinc ore and the source strength and dominant wind direction, constructed one-dimensional and two-dimensional diffusion model, and simulated the EER scope caused by PTEs. The findings indicate that: (1) concerning source strength, the content of PTEs in soils of high-density ore aggregation areas is significantly higher than in low-density ore aggregation areas. However, the impact of source strength decreases with decreasing ore grade, with a difference in Pb content of 1.71 times among principal ore-forming elements and almost consistent Cd content among associated elements. (2) Regarding the transport pathways, for most PTEs, the inverse proportion coefficients downwind are higher than upwind, approximately 1.18–3.63 times, indicating greater migration distances of PTEs downwind due to atmospheric dispersion. (3) By establishing a two-dimensional risk diffusion model, the study simulates the maximum radius of risk diffusion (r = 5.7 km), the 50% probability radius (r = 3.1 km), and the minimum radius (r = 0.8 km) based on the maximum, median, and minimum values statistically obtained from the EER. This study provides a scientific basis for implementing preventive measures for PTEs accumulation in soil within different pollution ranges. Different risk prevention and control measures should be adopted for PTEs accumulation in soil within the three ranges after cutting off pollution sources. Subsequent research should further investigate the impact and contribution of atmospheric transmission and surface runoff on the diffusion of PTEs in areas with high risk near lead-zinc ore.

Mechanism and technological results of sulfidation roasting of oxidized lead compounds

The paper presents the results of a critical analysis of existing technologies for processing lead-zinc ores and industrial products; the relevance of the research lies in the development of methods aimed at additional extraction of zinc and lead in conditions of a rapid decrease in the content of lead and zinc in ores. The paper presents research on the thermodynamic justification of sulfiding roasting, the results of the development of technology for intensifying the process of processing poor, difficult-to-process complex lead-zinc ores and middlings through preliminary thermal activation by sulfiding roasting in a fluidized bed furnace. The mechanism of sulfidation of oxylated lead compounds has been established according to the scheme: PbO → PbO·PbSO4 → PbSO4 → PbS. The results of the physicochemical study of roasting products, as well as the results of magnetic enrichment of cinders, are presented. The results of magnetic separation of cinders after heat treatment of industrial products show that it is possible to separate up to 70% of iron in the form of pyrrhotite into a magnetic product, while the pyrrhotite content in the magnetic product is up to 98.2%. The paper presents a new technological scheme for processing lead-zinc industrial products from enrichment to obtain pyrrhotites with predicted properties.

Geological setting, lead-zinc mineralization characteristics and its potential prospects in the Na Bop - Pu Sap area, Cho Don, Northeastern Vietnam

The Lo Gam structural zone is recognized as a crucial area for the occurrence of lead-zinc deposits in Northeast Vietnam, encompassing the distinguished territories of Cho Dien and Cho Don. Specifically, within the Cho Don area, the Na Bop-Pu Sap area emerges as particularly noteworthy owing to the considerable scale and quality of its lead-zinc ore deposits. In order to comprehensively investigate the geological attributes and lead-zinc mineralization phenomena prevalent in Na Bop-Pu Sap, a suite of analytical techniques including petrographic analyses, mineralogical examinations, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ICP-MS were employed. Furthermore, stable isotope investigations and single mineral sphalerite analyses were conducted to assess the origin of metal constituents and the physicochemical conditions conducive to ore genesis. The Na Bop-Pu Sap area is under the influence of the NW-SE fault system, with the ore structure predominantly manifesting as bands and veins aligned parallel to the foliations of hosted rock. This configuration suggests a close association between the formation of lead-zinc ore and the foliation processes occurring within the shear zones. The assemblage of ore minerals within the region primarily comprises galena, sphalerite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and arsenopyrite. Integration of S and Pb isotopic analyses alongside single mineral sphalerite assessments reveals that the ore-forming solutions emanate from both magmatic activity and sedimentary sources, with lead-zinc ore deposition occurring at temperatures ranging from low to medium. Projections suggest that the Na Bop-Pu Sap mining area may exhibit relative degrees of erosion extending to depths of approximately 600 meters below the existing terrain surface. This comprehensive examination of the ore characteristics in the Na Bop-Pu Sap mine area yields invaluable insights, thereby advancing our understanding of the potential for deep-seated lead-zinc mineral resources within the Northeastern Vietnam.

Beneficiation process reengineering under the background of green development-- take the full utilization of a low-grade lead-zinc ore as an example

A zero-waste mine is an advanced mine development and resource utilization strategy that aims to encourage the reduction of mine solid waste at source and the utilization of all its components. A low-grade lead-zinc ore in Guangxi, China, contains valuable components like galena, sphalerite, pyrite, barite, etc. and the gangue mineral is primarily dolomite. This paper proposes a flow of “waste pre-discarding by dense medium cyclone - sequential priority flotation of lead and zinc recovery - flotation and gravity combined process for barite recovery” to realize full component utilization. In this technical approach, 38.81% of the waste rock that can be utilized as concrete aggregate was removed from the feed ore through pre-discarding prior to grinding, after that recovers lead and zinc by the sequential priority flotation method with yield of Pb concentrate and Zn concentrate at 7.61%. In order to more efficiently recover barite and pyrite from lead-zinc flotation tailings, the gravity equipment of reflux classifier (RC) was used, which obtained barite concentrate with a yield of 7.97% and pyrite concentrate with a yield of 2.28%. The remaining yield of 43.34% tailings can be used for filling after the recovery of barite concentrate. Utilizing waste rock, lead, zinc, barite, and other resources might help the mine achieve the dynamic balance of “mining-discarding-beneficiation-filling” and realize zero tailings discharge.

Geology and Geochemistry of Lead-Zinc Mineralization in Ameri, Southeastern Nigeria

The Geology and geochemistry of Lead-Zinc Mineralization has been carried out in parts of Ameri, South eastern Nigeria. The study area was mapped and lithological units and structural features were identified and studied. A total of twenty-seven (27) samples from five (5) wells (AMR 014, AMR 036, AMR 038, AMR 048, and AMR 049) of the study area were collected, prepared and subjected to geochemical analysis for both major and trace elements using EDX3600B X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The analytical data were statistically computed using principal component factor analysis PCFA, statical package for social science SPSS, descriptive statistics DS, correlation matrix CM and were also adopted for various geochemical plots using Excel Microsoft office, geochemical data kid GCD Kid and Suffer software for geological map digitization, to determine the geochemical characteristics of the Lead-Zinc ore, the host rock and the environment of formation. The geology of the study area is strategically part of the Lower Benue Trough of Nigeria, it is made up of shale intruded by several small to medium sized mesocratic – melanocratic, phaneritic intrusives which are alkaline in nature with a slight variation in their mineralogical and textural characteristics. Structurally, the fractured zones or veins marked along the Enyigba and Ameka lodes could also be responsible for the mineralization of the Ameri Lead-Zinc. The Lead-Zinc in Ameri is associated with other gangue minerals such as marcasite, pyrite, quartz veins, carbonate materials, chalcopyrite, siderites, sphalerites and it shows that the Lead-Zinc mineralization in the study area is hosted by shales, which are probably parts of the slightly deformed cretaceous sedimentary rocks made up of essentially Albian shales and subordinate siltstones. Values of lead within this shear zone ranges from 0.06% - 64.58%, 0.02% - 64.35%, 0.01% –0.14%, 0.03% - 0.11% for AMR 036, AMR 038, AMR 048, AMR 049 respectively, while Zn ranges in value from; 0.09% - 53.98%, 0.08% - 1.11%, 0.19% - 58.64%, 0.08% - 56.11%. The value of lead and zinc within the hanging wall are 0.06% and 0.08%, 0.03% and 0.06%, 0.04% and 0.12%, 0.04% and 0.13% for AMR 036, AMR 038, AMR 048, AMR 049 respectively. Paleo-redox condition of Low Cu/Zn ratios from 0.001-0324, 0.001 – 0.307, 0.075-0.424, 0.001-0.309 and 0.001-0.321 for AMR 014, AMR 036, AMR 038, AMR 048, AMR 049 indicate more oxidizing conditions. This is confirmed by the Ni/Co ratio of 0.00-58.50, 0.00- 43.625, 0.00- 35.333, 0.00-1.704, 0.211- 1.472 for AMR 014, AMR 036, AMR 038, AMR 048, AMR 049 respectively mostly below the ratio indicated to be oxidic with little anoxic environmental affinity. The total Alkalis versus Silica plot from the intrusaive revealed their basic to ultrabasic nature, as the bivariate plots of the analyzed samples shows positive and /or strong relationship between the trace elements in the Ameri lodes and their respective certified concentration values which is also an indicator that the elements are probably from same hydrothermal source with the Lead-Zinc of the study area.

Geophysical Anomaly Indicators for Mapping Lead-Zinc (Pb-Zn) in its Metallogenic Province, Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria

One of the major challenges facing the mineral industry in Nigeria and Africa at large is insufficient geophysical information. The cost of geophysical equipment is rising geometrically. However, most of these countries have archives of geophysical data that are underutilized. Secondary (Magnetic, gravity and radiometric) data were collected, filtered and interpreted to generate anomaly indicators for exploring Lead-Zinc ores in southern Benue Trough province. Algorithms were tested using the existing mining sites to constrain the interpretation. It can be deduced that the high response of the magnetic analytic signal, residual gravity, and potassium in the western part of the area are mineralization indicators. Therefore, the magnetic analytic method was used to extract the probable depth to the top of the minerals in the area, which ranges from 47 to 113m and corresponds with the field measurements. The mineralization potential map of the area was developed. High mineralization dominated the western part of the area where the mining sites are concentrated. Therefore, the Pb-Zn ores are delineable using aeromagnetic, gravity, and radiometric datasets.

Mineralogical Features Associated with Material Constitution and Process Properties of Difficult Lead–Zinc Ore

Mineralogical Features Associated with Material Constitution and Process Properties of Difficult Lead–Zinc Ore

Petrogenesis of the granitoids related to skarn-type mineralization in the Nyainqentanglha Metallogenic Belt, Tibet

The Nyainqentanglha Metallogenic Belt (NMB) is an economically important lead-zinc ore province located in the Central and Southern Lhasa subterrane, Tibet. The NMB consists mainly of skarn-type lead-zinc polymetallic deposits that form at the contact between Late Cretaceous-Eocene intrusive rocks and carbonatite/volcanic-sedimentary strata. These deposits are generally considered to be related to S-type granites formed by the Indo-Asian continental collision. However, the εHf(t) (ave. −1.6) of zircons from the mineralization-related granitoids indicates that it is crust-mantle mixing products. In addition, the volcanic rocks of the Dianzhong Formation, which have a close spatio-temporal relationship with the skarn-type deposits, typically show mantle-derived features. Therefore, the occurrence of AFC processes in mantle-derived material passing through the thick basement of the Lhasa Terrane may better explain the genesis of the mineralization-related granitoids. In this study, we present results on zircon U–Pb ages, major and trace elements of the granitoids associated with skarn-type mineralization from the Narusongduo district. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating shows that the granite formed in the Paleocene (58.6 ± 0.5 Ma). Combined with published regional data, we propose the mineralization age of the skarn-type deposits in the NMB ranges from the Late Cretaceous to Eocene. Detailed petrology and geochemistry of mineralization-related granitoids are evaluated to constrain the magmatic evolution process. The granitoids have high contents of SiO2 (mean 72.8 %), K2O (mean 4.0 %), Rb (mean 186.9 ppm), DI (differentiation index) 84.7, A/CNK (mean 1.3), and low contents of MgO, TFe, suggesting that the granitoids have undergone strong differentiation. In addition, the continuous decrease of P2O5 with progressive differentiation and the lower average P2O5 abundance suggest that the mineralization-related granitoids belong to the I-type granite. The results suggest that the mineralization-related granitoids in the NMB originated from the mantle and is the fractionated I-type granite formed by the process of AFC (Assimilation and Fractional Crystallization). Considering that Pb and Zn often coexist in deposits, we suggest that magmatic differentiation may play an important role in the formation of the granite-related Pb and Zn mineralization.

Features of the Geological Structure and Polymetallic Mineralization of the Uspensky (Central Kazakhstan) and Dalnegorsky (Far East) Ore Districts

Polymetallic deposits of lead and zinc are of great importance in the economy of the developed countries of the world. Kazakhstan is among the world leading countries in terms of reserves and production of lead and zinc. There are large ore regions with polymetallic mineralization; these are the deposits of the Atasu and Uspensky ore regions in Central Kazakhstan. The former are genetically related to the final (taphrogenic) phase of the development of the large orogenic structure in the Central Kazakhstan (the Devonian volcano-plutonic belt), with the period of Late Frasnian-Famenian-Early Carboniferous formations of thick carbonate and carbonate-terrigenous sediments, including significant reserves of stratiform lead-zinc ores. Polymetallic mineralization of the Uspensky zone is singled out as an independent genetic Alaygyr type, and the tectonic nature of the ore-bearing Uspensky zone, as well as mineralization of this type, is still the subject of constant discussions. In this regard, the comparative characteristics of the Dalnegorsky and Uspensky ore regions, which have certain similarities in geodynamics, magmatism and metallogeny, are of great importance not only for solving the issues of the general patterns of formation, factors and criteria for controlling lead-zinc mineralization but also for an objective assessment of the ore potential of these and similar areas with polymetallic mineralization. Research methods: comparative analysis of the results of petrographic, chemical and mineralogical studies of ores enclosing near-ore metasomatically altered rocks and intrusions of different age and composition.

Research on the Principles and Innovative Methods of Lead Zinc Ore Prospecting Technology in Geological Exploration

With the implementation of China's reform and opening up, the economy has entered a stage of rapid development, at the same time, mineral resources are indispensable products in economic development, the rapid economic growth is inseparable from the support of minerals. However, in the process of mineral resources development, geological exploration plays an important role, which has certain characteristics, among which the characteristics of high investment and high risk are obvious. Therefore, the improvement and innovation of prospecting technology in geological exploration is the main driving force for mineral resource exploitation, which can not only promote the sound development of mining industry, but also effectively improve earnings. This paper studies the technical principles and innovative methods of geological prospecting for lead zinc ore.

Thermodynamic behavior and kinetic analysis of carbothermal reduction process of low-grade oxysulfur lead–zinc ore

During the exploitation of sphalerite resources, a considerable amount of low-grade oxysulfur Pb–Zn deposits is generated, which poses a significant threat to the environment and soil and water conservation in mining areas. Therefore, low-grade Pb–Zn resources urgently require source emission reduction and appropriate utilization. This study applied a mineral technology and conducted X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to investigate the phase transformation and the mechanism underlying the volatilization of Pb and Zn at different times and temperatures. The Pb–Zn volatilization kinetics of a low-grade oxysulfur Pb–Zn ore by a one-step pyrometallurgical process in an argon atmosphere was studied, and the effects of different temperature conditions on the Zn volatilization process were investigated. The results showed that the Zn-containing phase in the raw material was decomposed to ZnO and ZnS upon heating. Moreover, ZnO was reduced via carbothermal reduction, whereas ZnS was reduced via a CaO-assisted carbothermal reaction and volatilized in the form of gaseous Zn. In the Pb-containing phase, PbSO4 generated PbO, Pb, and PbS in the presence of Fe, FeS, and CaO. PbO was volatilized in the form of gaseous Pb through carbothermal reduction and interactions between PbS and PbO. The Pb–Zn volatilization reaction conformed to the shrinking core model with a constant size, and the volatilization-based removal of Pb and Zn process was controlled by internal diffusion. A macroscopic kinetic model of the reaction was established on the basis of experimental data. The apparent activation energy of Pb and Zn volatilization was 163.90 and 328.19 kJ/mol, respectively. This study promotes the utilization of the low-grade oxysulfur Pb–Zn ore through a pyrometallurgical method to provide theoretical support for large-scale industrial treatments.