Continuous Precipitate Flotation of CuS/ZnS

Abstract

The precipitate flotation of copper and zinc as sulfides in dilute aqueous solutions (50-250 ppm metal ion concentration) was investigated in the laboratory in continuous flow. The dispersed-air flotation technique was followed, leading to a selective recovery of copper sulfide of the order of 95% in a high acidic pH region (of 1.7) by a laurylamine ethanolic solution as collector and with the addition of cetyl-pyridinium chloride as frother. The precipitate flotation of zinc sulfide was then accomplished with the same method at pH 5.0 as a second separation stage (in the presence of minor amounts of copper).