Effect of iron/zinc vitriol–sodium sulphide blends on copper–zinc sulphide ore flotation

Spotlight is on potential improvement of selective flotation and separation of copper and zinc sulphides from pyrite in flotation of copper–zinc ore using the blends of iron or zinc vitriol and sodium sulphides in the presence of potassium butyl xanthate. The flotation research of copper–zinc ore used the flow chart which included copper flotation I and copper–zinc flotation II. The flotation research used such flotation agents that were capable to promote weak flotation of iron sulphides and to ensure selective separation of copper and zinc minerals. It is found how the consumption ratios of these agents influence the flotation performance and the efficiency of separation of copper and zinc sulphides. The studies into the flotation kinetics in the presence of blends of the test modifiers are described. The experimental results are compared. It is proposed to calculate the fractional selectivity of copper and zinc minerals with regard to their flotation kinetics and to their distribution by hard-, mediumand fast-floatable fractions. It is found that the use of blends of the listed metal-bearing modifiers enables efficient flotation of both copper minerals and zinc minerals.

Htet Zaw Oo, Kyaw Zay Ya, Goryachev B. E. Effect of iron/zinc vitriol–sodium sulphide blends on copper–zinc sulphide ore flotation. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2023;(12):139-151. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2023_12_0_139.

Htet Zaw Oo¹, Graduate Student, e-mail: htetzawoo68099@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2040-2552,
Kyaw Zay Ya¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Intern-Doctoral Student, e-mail: kokyawgyi49@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4364-9574,
B.E. Goryachev¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, e-mail: beg@misis.ru,
¹ National University of Science and Technology «MISiS», 119049, Moscow, Russia.

Htet Zaw Oo, e-mail: htetzawoo68099@gmail.com.

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