Technological Properties Contrast of Galena, Sphalerite, Carbonaceous Material and Choice of Flotation Technology
Yergeshev A. Tokpayev R. Karmeeva M. Khavaza T. Yergesheva N. Atchabarova A. Nauryzbayev M. Ignatkina V.
August 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Minerals
2025#15Issue 8
The presence of galena, sphalerite (cleiophane), and Carbonaceous Material (CM) in sulphide ore complicates the application of a direct-differential flotation flowsheet due to increased mutual interactions between both marketable concentrates and final tailings. Flotation tests, measurements of electrokinetic (zeta) potential, adsorption of sulphydric collectors, and colorimetric indicators were employed to elucidate the cause-and-effect relationships underlying the reduction in contrast of the flotation properties of galena and cleiophane surfaces. It was established that galena and cleiophane exhibit comparable flotation responses when using diesel oil within a pH range of 6–8. While high galena recovery is anticipated, the similar recovery of cleiophane is attributed to the ZnS zeta potential approaching zero in this pH interval. Experimental results demonstrated a distinct difference in the flotation behavior of galena and cleiophane, both with natural surface oxidation and following the removal of sulphoxy films. The application of Carbonaceous Material depressants derived from wood processing by-products (lignin-sulphonates) resulted in a significant decrease in sphalerite recovery. Although the flotation rate constant for Carbonaceous Material in the presence of lignin-sulphonate-based depressants decreases, the overall recovery to concentrate increases over time. The implementation of a bulk-differential flowsheet, involving the preliminary removal of CM prior to the bulk Pb-Zn flotation of lead-zinc sulphide ore, has been demonstrated to be effective.
adsorption , carbonaceous material , depression , flotation , galena , sphalerite , sulphydric collectors , technological scheme , velocity constant , ZetaPotential
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Center of Physico-Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan
Department of Mineral Processing and Industrial Wastes Recycling, College of Mining, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS” (NUST MISIS), Moscow, 119049, Russian Federation
Center of Physico-Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis
Department of Mineral Processing and Industrial Wastes Recycling
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