Lead-Zinc-Iron-Sulphide Minerals and Ores

2 Lead-Zinc-Iron-Sulphide Minerals and Ores 

Under adequate reducing environment dixanthogen will not be formed on the pyrite surface but lead xanthate is still formed on the galena surface, which underlies the basis of potential controlled flotation separation of galena from pjrrite by xanthate flotation. 

The results in Table 10.8 show that the selective separation of galena from pyrite may be accomplished in alkaline medium and reducing potential. For the 1 1 mixture of galena and pyrite, the floated product assayed 76.31% Pb with a recovery of 90% at pH= 10.5 and potential -210 mV. Similar results can be achieved for the flotation separation of a mixture of galena and arsenopyrite as shown in Table 10.9. The floated product assayed 74.36% Pb with a recovery of 92% at pH = 9.5 and potential -300 mV. 

For the flotation separation of the mixtures of galena-sphalerite, using DDTC as a collector and lime as a pH modifier, the mixture is ground in Fe medium and the potential is made at 90 mV. The lead concentrate assayed of 74.4% Pb and zinc concentrate assayed of 57.51% Zn can be obtained. The recovery of lead and zinc are, respectively, 88.14% and 95.3%. The flotation separation of a mixture of sphalerite mid pyrite is conducted at pH = 12 modified by lime and using butyl xanthate as a collector. The mixture is ground in Fe medium and the potential is 150 mV. The zinc concentrate assayed of 58.1% Zn and sulphur concentrate assayed of 48.56% S can be obtained. The recovery of zinc and sulphur are, respectively, 92.1% and 59.83%. 

3 Applications of Potential Control Flotation in Industrial Practice 

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