Original Articles
Dai Shu-juan* and Hu Zhi-gang#
Abstract
The most valuable elements in a polymetallic sulfide ore in the Shanxi province are copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver, and the main metal minerals are galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and so on. Microscopic images show that gold and silver were not observed in the ore. The polymetallic separation flowsheet of copper/lead bulk flotation – copper/lead separation - priority flotation zinc and pyrite from the bulk flotation tailings was used. The concentrate indexes of the grade of copper, lead, and zinc were 20.87%, 49.91%, and 60.10%, respectively, and the recoveries were 75.59%, 91.62%, and 74.07%. These values were obtained using the suitable technological flowsheet and at suitable conditions. Gold and silver were enriched in the copper concentrate and pyrite products. Copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver in the ore were effectively recovered, from which excellent economic benefits can be obtained.