THE EFFECT OF IRON ON ZINC FLOTATION

The differential flotation of polymetallic ores such as lead-zinc, copper-zinc, and copper-lead-zinc types is based on the fact that the zinc mineral is theoretically hydrophilic and will not float without activation. The ideal process would be to float a copper, a lead, or a bulk copper-lead concentrate containing not zinc, followed by activation by of the sphalerite with copper sulphate and the flotation of a zinc concentrate.

However, in practice, sphalerite exhibits a varying degree of hydrophobicity, so that some of the zinc floats wrongly and will be lose into the copper or lead circuit. The reason is in relation with the geological history of the ore deposit, mineral oxidation; iron atoms can be present in the sphalerite crystal or some other alteration on the mineral surface. But an electrochemical effect it is possible that occurs when the iron is present like pyrite, and at the moment that start to diminish its value, the pH is growing in the pulp from grinding causing a strong activation of sphalerite out of its flotation circuit. The first two factors are known, but the third is the less known and has direct relation with the mill and the chemical environment during grinding.

The next lines will try to explain the third case.

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