The problem of treating oxidized lead-zinc ores for the production of high-grade lead zinc concentrates is a complex problem due to the nature of the ores and to the soft sliming characteristics of the lead and zinc minerals. The ore for treatment is a lead-zinc carbonate ore in a mixed siliceous-lime carbonate gangue. The association of … Read more
The Problem with separating Copper from Zinc by flotation The treatment of heavy sulphide ores of copper containing zinc and pyrite is often extremely difficult particularly if soluble copper and sulphates are present. This is usually the case in ore deposits near the surface or in tropical countries where the annual rainfall is quite high. The … Read more
To understand froth flotation, first read that article and come back to read about sequential flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc. Given a baseline amount of frother and collector, these curves are the approximate/relative rate of flotation recovery of Copper (Chalcopyrite/Bornite/Chalcocite/Covellite/Tennantite/Enargite/Tetrahedrite /Freibergite ), Lead (Galena) and Zinc (Sphalerite) as well as iron (pyrite/arsenopyrite) minerals VS … Read more
The most effective, and really only way for recovery of zinc sphalerite by froth flotation is by first activating the mineral with CuSO4 (Copper Sulphate) and allowing some conditioning time. How much time is optimum for effective zinc activation and good froth flotation? Obviously the answer to that is dependent on the test sample’s mineralogy, … Read more