Selective flotation of angooran oxidised zinc ore using mercaptans

• In this study, using single mineral, associated pure minerals and ore samples, methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), ethyl mercaptan (C2H5SH) and hexyl mercaptan (C6H13SH) collectors for the separation of smithsonite as oxide zinc mineral are assessed through Hallimond tube and batch flotation to define an optimal flotation condition and apply to a natural ore. Furthermore, the reagents are tested in bench scale flotation tests for the separation of smithsonite in the Angooran oxidised zinc ore from other gangue silicate minerals. The microflotation and artificial mixture flotation tests showed that the maximum flotation recovery was found at about 78% using hexyl mercaptan (HM) at pH around 9. Selective flotation of smithsonite is accomplished from oxidised zinc ore with hexyl mercaptan collector at pH 9, when the feed is deslimed prior to bench scale flotation tests. Zinc flotation recovery exceeding 75% with 22.5% zinc content is achieved. The optimum flotation efficiency and the optimum flotation time were 51.4 % and 9 min, respectively. When it is used methyl mercaptan (MM) and ethyl mercaptan (EM), the flotation results confirmed the lower zinc flotation recoveries and grades compared to HM flotation because of having shorter length of hydrocarbons chain. However, the results of EM and MM flotation have also no significant variations to each other.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Metallurgi och metalliska material (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Metallurgy and Metallic Materials (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Mineralteknik

Mineral Processing

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