Influence of pyrite depressant reagents on the flotation efficiency of lead and zinc sulfides
Pablo Victor da Costa Gomes; Stephânia da Consolação Silva Nogueira; Maria Eduarda Rocha Fonseca; Paloma Paula Gomes Cipriano; Carlos Alberto Pereira; Francielle Câmara Nogueira
Abstract
Pyrite (FeS2 ) is a sulfide mineral that acts as gangue in the flotation of lead and zinc ores due to its propensity to float alongside galena (PbS) and sphalerite (ZnS), compromising the selectivity and efficiency of the process. This study investigated the impact of two pyrite depressants, sodium metabisulfite (MBS) and quebracho, on the selectivity of the flotation process for lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) sulfide ore. Bench-scale flotation tests were performed using diferent dosages of each reagent. A dosage of 200 g/t of MBS achieved 91.73% Zn recovery, reducing the iron content in the zinc concentrate (Fe content of 2.89%). Quebracho, at the same dosage, provided 94.33% Pb recovery, with a reduction in the iron content in the zinc concentrate to 1.17%, although with a slight decrease in the Pb grade of the concentrate. Both depressants lowered Zn and Pb contents in the final tailings, meeting industrial specifications and demonstrating their potential to enhance the efficiency of the flotation circuit at the studied mine.
Keywords
Referências
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Submetido em:
21/10/2024
Aceito em:
24/03/2025
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