USE OF NON-TOXIC DEPRESSANTS IN THE SELECTIVE FLOTATION OF COPPER-LEAD-ZINC ORES

Abstract

AbstractThis paper reports the results of flotation tests conducted with a copper-lead-zinc sulphide ore. The major sulphide minerals in the ore are chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, marmatite and pyrite with corresponding metal amounts of 6.80% Pb, 1.05% Cu and 1.50% Zn, respectively. The ore sample was ground to below 200 ?m and then collective and selective sulphide flotation tests were performed. In flotation tests, depression was achieved using non-toxic reagents and consequently individual copper, lead and zinc concentrates assaying 31.68% Cu, 67.69% Pb, 49.79% Zn were obtained with 72, 80 and 57% metal recoveries, respectively.Ce document rend compte des resultats d’essais de flottation effectues avec un minerai de sulfure de cuivre-plomb-zinc. Les principaux mineraux sulfures du minerai sont la chalcopyrite, la galene, la fausse galene, la marmatite et la pyrite, avec des quantites correspondantes de metaux de 6.80% Pb, 1.05% Cu et 1.50% Zn, respectivement. On a moulu l’echantillon de minerai sous...