Sphalerite Separation from the Tailings of Kooshk Lead-Zinc Mine Using Flotation Method

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Depatment of Mining Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, I.R. IRAN

2 Department of Mining Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, I.R. IRAN

Abstract

In this research work, selective separation of sphalerite from Kooshk mine accumulated tailings were evaluated by the flotation method. Besides the high amount of sphalerite, the presence of carbonaceous matters and a high amount of pyrite (about 50%) were two main features of prepared tailings. In the test conditions of 15g/t collector and pulp natural pH, experimental results indicated that the highest grade and sphalerite recovery achieved by Aero3477 among different collectors of PAX، ، Florrea 2214 و Danafloat 233. In which condition, pyrite had the lowest floatability in the rougher stage. Increasing collector dosage to 40 g/t Zn grade and recovery obtained 24.27% and 68.89% respectively. Unlike PAX collector, in the presence of Aero3477, increasing flotation pulp pH not only depressed pyrite but also pyrite floated considerably in the alkaline pH, in comparison to acidic pulp condition. In addition, it was concluded that in the alkaline condition, pulp viscosity increased, as a result, sphalerite floatability and separation efficiency dropped significantly. The obtained results could be referred to as the side effect of gypsum and some clay minerals on the sphalerite surface and also flotation pulp rheology.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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