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Effect of NaCN:ZnSO4 Mixture Molar Ratio and Particle-Size Distribution on Pb-Zn and Fe Selective Separation by Froth Flotation

  • 4IR in Extractive Metallurgy
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Abstract

This work studies the depression of sphalerite and pyrite with a NaCN:ZnSO4 mixture in the selective separation of Pb-Zn by flotation when the blend is enriched with Ag. Given in this paper are an explanation of depression mechanism and the method for optimizing the Pb-Ag recovery. This was done by analyzing the thermodynamics of an aqueous system and evaluating two experimental techniques: flotation kinetic tests and wettability on minerals. The best Pb-Zn separation was observed using a 10:1 mixture molar ratio and coarse-size-particle distribution in the flotation kinetic test (separation 48.24% and lead recovery 83.70%). Wettability measurements and thermodynamic analysis support that free cyanide [CN−] and zinc cyanide species [Zn(CN)3− and Zn(CN)42−] selectively depressed the pyrite and sphalerite, favoring galena floatability. Finally, the silver recovery (argentite associated with pyrite and quartz) is affected by mineralogical association and both, particle-size distribution and mixture molar ratio.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the National Polytechnic Institute (UPIIZ–IPN) projects SIP–IPN 20210910 and 20210337, CINVESTAV–IPN Saltillo, and CLUSMIN Zacatecas, for all the facilities provided for the development of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ingeniería Metalúrgica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, UPIIZ-Zacatecas, C.P. 98160, Zacatecas, México

    Ramón Arellano-Piña & Elvia Angélica Sanchez-Ramirez

  2. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Industria Metalúrgica, 1062. Parque Industrial Ramos Arizpe–Saltillo, C.P. 25900, Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, México

    Roberto Pérez-Garibay

  3. División de Ingenierías, Departamento de Minas, Metalurgia y Geología, Universidad de Guanajuato, Ex - Hacienda de San Matías S/N, Guanajuato, Gto, 36020, México

    Mario Corona-Arroyo

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  1. Ramón Arellano-Piña
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  2. Elvia Angélica Sanchez-Ramirez
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Correspondence to Roberto Pérez-Garibay.

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Arellano-Piña, R., Sanchez-Ramirez, E.A., Pérez-Garibay, R. et al. Effect of NaCN:ZnSO4 Mixture Molar Ratio and Particle-Size Distribution on Pb-Zn and Fe Selective Separation by Froth Flotation. JOM 74, 36–46 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-021-04998-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-021-04998-z

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