XIE Hai-yun1, WU Ji-zong1*, TIAN Xiao-song2, XIAO Wei2, LIU Rong-xin1, GAO Li-kun1, TONG Xiong1
(1. Faculty of Land Resource Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China;
2. Yunnan Diqing Mining Development Co. Ltd., Diqing 674500, China)
Abstract: The application of mixture flotation process after rough grinding ores of fine-grained embedded copper-zinc sulfides has advantages of high recovery and low cost. However, the bulk concentrate needs urgently to be processed for a highly efficient and complete separation of copper, zinc and sulphur concentrates. The bulk copper-zinc-sulfur concentrate from the Yuxi plant in Yunnan Province contains Cu 2.45%, Zn 4.93%, and S 31.21%, with 75% grain fineness of less than74 μm. Based on the selective flotation separation experiment of the reground copper-zinc-sulfur bulk concentrate, this paper has discussed the influence on effect of mineral separation by various factors including the regrinding fineness, agent type and dosage, etc. When over 90% of the coarse concentrate was reground to fineness of less than 38 μm, high recoveries of Cu, Zn and S concentrates have been obtained in the closed-circuit test, with recoveries of 84.27%, 85.94%, and 82.85% for concentrates at Cu grade of 21.00%, Zn grade of 48.37%, and S grade of 37.90%, respectively. This processing technique results in the relatively complete separation of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrite in the bulk concentrate. This study has provided a useful referencing method for the effective separation of various sulphides from the copper-polymetallic bulk concentrate.
Keywords: copper-zinc sulfide ore; ore beneficiation; bulk coarse concentrate; flotation separation
ACTA MINERALOGICA SINICA Vol. 39, No.1, 2019, page 1-6
