Copper and lead separation points

Separation of copper and lead is a major problem when the flotation of copper-zinc ores lead. The solution can be lead-free copper or copper-lead. The exact plan is better and should be determined through specific tests. However, the general principle is: when the content of lead in the ore is much higher than that of copper, the lead should be suppressed; if the copper content is close to or more than lead, the lead should be suppressed.

Common copper and lead separation methods are as follows:

A heavy chromate method: i.e. dichromate suppress flotation of copper minerals and galena.

Second, the cyanidation method: the use of cyanide to inhibit copper minerals and flotation of lead minerals.

Third, the ferricyanide method: when the secondary high copper content in the ore, the effects of the two methods are not good enough, then if a high copper content in the ore, the available ferricyanide (ferrocyanide and Red blood salt) to inhibit the secondary copper mineral flotation lead mineral; if the lead content is much higher than copper, the following two options should be tested:

4. Sulfuric acid method (sulphur dioxide method): The mixed concentrate is treated with sulfur dioxide gas or sulfurous acid, so that the lead mineral is inhibited and the copper mineral is activated. In order to strengthen the inhibition, potassium dichromate or zinc dithionite may be added, or the slurry may be heated (heated flotation method), and finally the pH of the slurry must be adjusted to 5-7 with lime, and then copper is used. Flotation of minerals.

5. Sodium sulfite Ferric sulphate method: Sodium sulfite and iron sulphate are used as mixed inhibitors, and the slurry is acidified with sulfuric acid, stirred at pH=6-7, and the galena is inhibited to float the copper mineral.

One of the main reasons for the difficulty in separating copper-lead mixed concentrates is due to the presence of excess chemicals ( collectors and foaming agents) in the mixed concentrate. Removal of excess agent from the slurry prior to separation of the concentrate and removal of the collector film from the mineral surface can greatly improve the separation of the mixed concentrate.

Methods for removing excess pesticide from the slurry and removing the collector film from the mineral surface are:

(1) a mechanical method;

(b) Chemical or physicochemical methods. The appropriate method can be selected depending on the nature of the mixed concentrate and the conditions it obtains.