Study of process water effect on the activation of sphalerite during differential flotation of Pb-Cu-Zn

This work was aimed to analyze the effect of concentration of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions in flotation process water with sphalerite activation, the analysis was performed at Cozamin Mining flotation circuit. This analysis demonstrated that (i) it was possible to determine the relationship between Sodium Cyanide and Ammonium Bisulfite used as depressants and Cu2+ and Pb2+ contents in the process water. (ii) It also proved the relationship between lead and iron content in the head with the Pb2+ ions in process water. According to the data gathered and analysis performed, (iii) it was also determined that it was possible to reuse process water as long as the use of Ammonium Bisulfite was reduced and recommended replacing the use of Sodium Cyanide with Zinc Sulfate (ZnSO4) as a depressant of Sphalerite. Additionally, the concentration of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions in the water should be controlled in a range of 10 to 20 ppm and 0.10 to 0.20 ppm, respectively.