Applications – Lead/Zinc

Cu-Pb-Zn separation is among the most challenging of flotation separations so selection of flotation reagents and frothers is an important consideration. Molycop chemicals used in polymetallic ore treatment enable the selective recovery of each metal while minimising the contamination between them.

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Features

  • Cu-Pb-Zn separation is a challenging flotation process
  • Flotation requires an initial flotation of bulk concentrate followed by two parallel circuit stages
  • Selection of flotation reagents and frothers is a critical consideration

Overview

The Cu-Pb-Zn separation process is among the most challenging of flotation separations primarily because the first step must entail bulk flotation of the two most readily floatable minerals with these two minerals separated in a differential flotation stage.

As a general rule, because both copper and lead minerals tend to float well, these are usually the target bulk flotation minerals. Therefore, the standard Cu-Pb-Zn flotation practice involves an initial flotation of a Cu-Pb bulk concentrate followed by two parallel circuit stages of copper-lead separation and separate zinc flotation from the bulk flotation tails.

Zinc sulfate and metabisulfide sphalerite and pyrite depressants, respectively, are typically added to grinding. A Cu-Pb bulk concentrate is then recovered with xanthate, dithiophosphate and flotation reagent blends. Collector selection in the bulk flotation step must take into consideration the impact on the subsequent Cu-Pb separation stage where a stronger collector may not be well tolerated. Generally, the lead mineral, typically galena, readily floats.

Selection of flotation reagents and frothers 

Most often the copper minerals are floated after a galena depression. Galena is depressed using sodium dichromate, sodium sulfite, polysaccharide (starch, dextrin) or even Carboxymethyl (CMC). Addition rates of these depressants can be critical if any recirculating load is returned to the bulk rougher circuit. This flotation step is conducted at alkaline pH. In the case where galena is floated and the copper minerals are depressed, copper depression can be achieved by using sodium sulfide, hydrosulfite, lime, cyanide, zinc-cyanide and/or ferricyanide complexes.

Selection of flotation reagents and frothers is a critical consideration. The mineralogy, circuit configuration and process step goals must be accounted for when selecting the flotation reagents.

Typical Uses

Molycop chemicals are used in polymetallic ore treatment where metals are often found together in complex mineral ores. Chemicals are used to selectively recover each metal while minimising the contamination between them.

Benefits

  • Selective separation: Chemicals enable the selective flotation of copper, lead and zinc, ensuring high-purity concentrates for each.
  • Increased recovery: Properly chosen flotation reagents maximise the recovery of valuable metals from complex ores, enhancing overall efficiency.
  • Optimised process control: Chemical adjustments allow fine-tuning of the flotation process for better separation and metal-specific recovery.

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