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Minerals
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Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals
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Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 January 2025 | Viewed by 9580

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qicheng Feng

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Faculty of Land Resource Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China
Interests: mineral separation; flotation reagents; surface analysis; leaching; industrial wastewater treatment; mineral surface chemistry; process mineralogy; comprehensive utilization of mineral resources
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Guang Han

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Faculty of Land Resource Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China
Interests: mineral separation; flotation reagents; surface analysis; mineral surface chemistry; comprehensive utilization of mineral resources
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Copper, lead and zinc minerals are important non-ferrous metal resources. Flotation is a practical technique to extract minerals based on differences in physical and chemical properties on mineral surfaces. Flotation equipment, flotation techniques and flotation reagents are used for the recovery and separation of copper, lead and zinc minerals. The gradual depletion of high-grade mineral resources leads to an increase in the exploitation and utilization of refractory copper, lead and zinc ores. The enhanced recovery of copper, lead and zinc minerals have become urgent problems to be solved. Thus, there is a crucial need for research on the flotation theory and application to address the issues in the recovery of copper, lead and zinc minerals. This Special Issue will focus on recent advances in flotation theory and techniques of copper, lead and zinc minerals.  Research or review articles concerning the synthesis and application of flotation reagents, migration rule of flotation reagents, design of flotation equipment, enhanced flotation separation methods, refractory ore treatment, bubble–mineral interaction mechanism, theoretical calculation, process mineralogy, and plant practice of copper, lead and zinc minerals are invited to this Special Issue. The Special Issue will contribute to the understanding of these processes and the development of novel approaches to improve the flotation recovery of copper, lead and zinc minerals.

Prof. Dr. Qicheng Feng
Dr. Guang Han
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • flotation reagents
  • enhanced flotation
  • flotation equipment
  • separation technique
  • refractory ores
  • surface analysis
  • bubble–mineral interaction
  • theoretical calculation
  • process mineralogy

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3363 KiB  
Article
Open-Circuit Technology of Zinc Oxide Ore Flotation with Ternary Collector and Its Adsorption Characteristics on Smithsonite Surface
by Zhiwei Li, Qicheng Feng, Qian Zhang and Shuming Wen
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090902 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 426
Abstract
The sulfidization-amine flotation method is commonly used for the beneficiation of zinc oxide ores. Lanping zinc oxide ores contains 8.40% zinc, with the main mineral being smithsonite; additionally, they have a high mud content. Conventional sulfidization–ammonium flotation presents a low flotation index and [...] Read more.
The sulfidization-amine flotation method is commonly used for the beneficiation of zinc oxide ores. Lanping zinc oxide ores contains 8.40% zinc, with the main mineral being smithsonite; additionally, they have a high mud content. Conventional sulfidization–ammonium flotation presents a low flotation index and unsatisfactory flotation froth. A new open-circuit technology is employed to treat Lanping zinc oxide ores, where Na2S, KG-248, and dodecyl amine + sodium isoamyl xanthate + ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate are used as the regulator, depressant, and ternary collector, respectively. Consequently, the flotation indices for the zinc grade and recovery are 28.71% and 86.24%, respectively, and the flotation froth becomes more stable. Subsequently, the flotation behavior and adsorption mechanism of smithsonite with a ternary collector are investigated. The flotation recovery of smithsonite increases to 94.40% after treatment with the ternary collector. Surface-analysis results indicate that the ternary collector can synergistically adsorb onto the sulfidized smithsonite surface to enhance its hydrophobicity, thus increasing the floatability of smithsonite. Meanwhile, the total consumption of the collector in the ternary-collector system is lower than that in the binary- or unitary-collector system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals)
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18 pages, 3508 KiB  
Article
Bubble Size Characterization in the HydroFloat® Fluidized-Bed Flotation Cell Using Tap Water and Seawater
by Giovanni Gahona, Luís A. Cisternas, Natalia Araya-Gómez, Freddy A. Lucay, Edelmira D. Gálvez, Alejandro Lopéz-Valdivieso and Felipe Valdes
Minerals 2024, 14(8), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080813 - 11 Aug 2024
Viewed by 719
Abstract
This research aims to analyze the behavior of bubble size distribution in the HydroFloat® with seawater and tap water. The study characterized bubble size in a two-phase gas–water system in a fluidized-bed flotation cell. The impact of seawater was compared to tap [...] Read more.
This research aims to analyze the behavior of bubble size distribution in the HydroFloat® with seawater and tap water. The study characterized bubble size in a two-phase gas–water system in a fluidized-bed flotation cell. The impact of seawater was compared to tap water using two frothers, MIBC and polyglycol F507. The experimental design was used to investigate the influence of various parameters such as superficial air velocity, superficial liquid velocity, frother concentration, and seawater concentration on bubble size. The results indicate that the critical coalescence concentration followed the order of MIBC > F507. Bubble size decreases with increasing superficial liquid velocity, while the superficial gas velocity and frother/seawater concentration have the opposite effect. ANOVA results reveal that all linear factors are significant, the quadratic terms of the frother and seawater concentrations are significant, and the interaction term for the superficial air velocity–superficial liquid velocity is nonsignificant for bubble size. Global sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the variables significantly affecting bubble size are frother concentration and seawater concentration, followed by superficial water velocity. The superficial gas velocity has minimal impact on bubble size under the conditions studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals)
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12 pages, 2603 KiB  
Article
Inhibiting Mechanism of High pH on Molybdenite Flotation. An Experimental and DFT Study
by Enxiang Wang, He Wan, Juanping Qu, Peng Yi and Xianzhong Bu
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070663 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 454
Abstract
The inhibiting mechanism of high pH on the molybdenite flotation was studied using an experimental and DFT method. The experimental results found that adverse effects of pH on molybdenite flotation should be attributed to the adsorption of OH− on molybdenite [100] surface [...] Read more.
The inhibiting mechanism of high pH on the molybdenite flotation was studied using an experimental and DFT method. The experimental results found that adverse effects of pH on molybdenite flotation should be attributed to the adsorption of OH− on molybdenite [100] surface (MS100). The DFT results show the adsorption energy of H2O/OH− to molybdenite [001] surface (MS001) and MS100 is −8.61/288.30 kJ·mol−1 and −226.81/−302.44 kJ·mol−1. These indicate that H2O is weakly adsorbed on MS001, while OH− is not. Both H2O and OH− can be adsorbed onto MS100. The adsorption energy of OH− to MS100 is much stronger than that of H2O. The results of state density and charge transfer of the adsorption of OH− on MS100 further show that OH− can be chemically adsorbed on MS100 through the bonding of the O atom of OH− and the Mo atom of MS100. This causes a significant reduction in the MS100 hydrophobicity and deteriorates the fine molybdenite flotation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals)
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15 pages, 6274 KiB  
Article
Application and Mechanism of Mixed Anionic/Cationic Collectors on Reverse Flotation of Hematite
by Juanjuan Wang, Dongfang Lu and Xue Han
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060550 - 27 May 2024
Viewed by 700
Abstract
In order to enhance the reverse flotation effect of hematite, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC) and a mixed anionic/cationic collector of DTAC and tall oil were selected for flotation studies on quartz and hematite. Surface tension tests, FT-IR, XPS analysis, and molecular dynamics [...] Read more.
In order to enhance the reverse flotation effect of hematite, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC) and a mixed anionic/cationic collector of DTAC and tall oil were selected for flotation studies on quartz and hematite. Surface tension tests, FT-IR, XPS analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also conducted in order to investigate the interaction mechanism of the mixed collector on the quartz surface. The results revealed that, at a natural pH (approximately 7.0) and 298 K, and with a dosage of 20 mg/L for the mixed collector (mDTAC:mtall oil = 3:1) and 4 mg/L for causticized starch, the recovery rates of quartz and hematite were 94.67% and 8.69%, respectively. Compared to the use of a single DTAC, the mixed DTAC/tail oil collector enhanced the flotation effect under constant variables. Additionally, a comparison of temperature and surface tension for monomineral flotation and artificially mixed ore flotation tests showed that the mixed collector was less influenced by temperature, compared to the single DTAC, and exhibited good resistance and more effective separation of quartz and hematite at lower temperatures. The analysis of FT-IR, XPS, and MD simulations revealed that the single DTAC collector primarily adsorbed onto quartz through physical adsorption and hydrogen bonding, while the combination of tall oil and DTAC enhanced the adsorption of the collector on the quartz surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals)
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15 pages, 4716 KiB  
Article
Utilization of PMA-EDTC as a Novel Macromolecular Depressant for Galena in the Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite
by Hong Zeng, Yangge Zhu, Chuanyao Sun, Zhiqiang Zhao, Guiye Wu, Chongjun Liu, Tong Lu and Xingrong Zhang
Minerals 2023, 13(12), 1478; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13121478 - 24 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1116
Abstract
To address the issue of mediocre separation efficiency of depressants in the copper-lead separation process, this article synthesized a macromolecular organic depressant, polymaleic anhydride-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PMA–EDTC), using a polycarboxylic macromolecule as the backbone and also introducing –N–(C=S)–S– as the solidophilic group and employed [...] Read more.
To address the issue of mediocre separation efficiency of depressants in the copper-lead separation process, this article synthesized a macromolecular organic depressant, polymaleic anhydride-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PMA–EDTC), using a polycarboxylic macromolecule as the backbone and also introducing –N–(C=S)–S– as the solidophilic group and employed as a galena depressant. The structure of PMA–EDTC was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The effect of PMA–EDTC on the floatability of galena and chalcopyrite was investigated through micro-flotation and Contact angle measurements. The experimental results demonstrated that PMA–EDTC exhibited selectivity inhibition towards galena rather than chalcopyrite across a wide pH range. At a dose of 8 mg/L, there was effective separation between galena and chalcopyrite with a separation coefficient of 24.17, effectively altering the floatability of galena while having little impact on the floatability of chalcopyrite. The selective inhibition behavior and adsorption mechanism of PMA–EDTC on galena and chalcopyrite were investigated using FT-IR, Zeta potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FT-IR and Zeta potential studies indicated that PMA–EDTC formed chemical adsorption on the surface of galena. XPS confirmed the model of chemical adsorption of PMA–EDTC on lead atoms in the galena surface. The results indicate that PMA–EDTC adsorbs on the surface of galena via its –(C=S)–S–group, forming a hydrophilic complex and achieving selective depression of lead and the cleaning flotation of copper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals)
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16 pages, 8562 KiB  
Article
Process Mineralogy Characteristics and Flotation Optimization of a Low-Grade Oxidized Lead and Zinc Ore from Lanping Mine
by Anmei Yu, Zhan Ding, Jiaqiao Yuan, Qicheng Feng, Shuming Wen and Shaojun Bai
Minerals 2023, 13(9), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13091167 - 2 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2100
Abstract
The beneficiation of low-grade oxidized lead and zinc ore from the Lanping mine has attracted extensive interest in the mineral processing field due to the extremely rich resource reserves and the challenge in lead and zinc recovery. This study’s objective is to analyze [...] Read more.
The beneficiation of low-grade oxidized lead and zinc ore from the Lanping mine has attracted extensive interest in the mineral processing field due to the extremely rich resource reserves and the challenge in lead and zinc recovery. This study’s objective is to analyze the process mineralogy characteristics and to conduct the flotation optimization of this ore. Mineralogy parameters of the ore, such as mineral composition, mineral liberation degree, and intergrowth relationship, were investigated using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), an X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), and an electronic probe microanalyzer (EPMA). The effect of the main experimental factors on the lead and zinc flotation is determined and compared. The results confirm that the low content of lead and zinc and the complex co-occurrence relationships between minerals bring a challenge to the efficient separation of the ore. Furthermore, a flow sheet consisting of “lead preferred flotation-zinc flotation” is performed, and an all-open flotation process consisted of “two-times lead rougher-one-time lead cleaner-two-times zinc rougher-one-time zinc cleaner” is finally employed for the beneficiation of this ore with the aids of mixed depressants and cationic-anionic collectors for zinc recovery. The Pb grade in the lead rougher concentrate is 2.83%, and the Pb recovery is 57.56%. The Zn grade reaches 28.64% with a recovery of 83.45%. Thus, the findings provide important technical supports for the processing of similar ores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals)
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14 pages, 3646 KiB  
Article
Flotation Separation of Smithsonite from Calcite Using Cupferron as a Collector
by Qingqing Wang, Lei Sun, Yang Cao, Xin Wang, Yi Qiao, Guobin Liu, Meitao Xiang and Wei Sun
Minerals 2023, 13(8), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13080992 - 26 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1100
Abstract
The flotation separation of smithsonite and calcite is difficult due to their similar surface properties. In this study, cupferron was applied as a collector to realize the separation of smithsonite and calcite. Micro-flotation experiment results indicated that smithsonite and calcite express different floatability [...] Read more.
The flotation separation of smithsonite and calcite is difficult due to their similar surface properties. In this study, cupferron was applied as a collector to realize the separation of smithsonite and calcite. Micro-flotation experiment results indicated that smithsonite and calcite express different floatability after treatment with cupferron. The maximum recovery difference was 63%, from a cupferron concentration of 2 × 10−4 mol/L at pH 8. Based on a series of tests, including an adsorption test, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), zeta potential and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the selective collection mechanism of cupferron was studied. It was found that the cupferron was more easily adsorbed on the surface of smithsonite and the reaction was violent. The adsorption capacity of the cupferron on the surface of smithsonite was higher than that of calcite, and the surface potential shift was greater. The cupferron chelated with the exposed Zn sites on the smithsonite surface to form a N-O-Zn ring structure. This special chelate structure caused the smithsonite surface to be more hydrophobic, which confirmed that the cupferron can selectively collect smithsonite instead of calcite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals)
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Review

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20 pages, 8134 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress on Chelating Reagents in Flotation of Zinc Oxide Ores: A Review
by Zhengyong Song, Shuming Wen, Guang Han and Qicheng Feng
Minerals 2023, 13(10), 1278; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13101278 - 29 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1916
Abstract
Zinc oxide minerals (primarily smithsonite and hemimorphite) are important sources of Zn. Flotation is the most widely used method of enriching zinc oxide minerals for mineral processing. Chelating reagents have received extensive attention for the flotation of zinc oxide ores because of their [...] Read more.
Zinc oxide minerals (primarily smithsonite and hemimorphite) are important sources of Zn. Flotation is the most widely used method of enriching zinc oxide minerals for mineral processing. Chelating reagents have received extensive attention for the flotation of zinc oxide ores because of their high selectivity and stability. This paper systematically summarizes the selective separation performance and mechanisms of various chelating reagents as collectors, activators, and depressants in the flotation of zinc oxide ores. The types and mechanisms of chelating reagents in the flotation of zinc oxide ores are discussed, providing new ideas for the development of efficient flotation reagents for zinc oxide ores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Flotation of Copper, Lead and Zinc Minerals)
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