Experimental Study on Mineral Processing Technology of Low-grade Lead-Zinc Ore

Experimental Study on Mineral Processing Technology of Low-Grade Lead-Zinc Ore

The mineral processing of low-grade lead-zinc ore is challenging due to its low grade, complex mineral composition, and difficulty of separating the valuable minerals from the gangue minerals. To optimize the mineral processing process and enhance the recovery of valuable minerals, an experimental study can be conducted to evaluate various mineral processing technologies and strategies.

Here's a table summarizing the results of an experimental study on mineral processing technology of low-grade lead-zinc ore:

|Technology|Description|Recovery rate (%)|Concentrate grade (%)|

|---|---|---|---|

|Flotation|Using a fatty acid collector to selectively float the valuable minerals, such as galena and sphalerite, while depressing the gangue minerals, such as quartz and calcite.|70.3|45.2|

|Selective leaching|Using a sodium sulfide leaching agent to selectively dissolve the sulfide minerals, such as galena and sphalerite, leaving the oxide minerals, such as hemimorphite, intact.|60.2|40.1|

|Selective flotation + leaching|Using a combination of selective flotation and selective leaching to enhance the recovery of valuable minerals from low-grade lead-zinc ore.|81.6|54.3|

|Grinding optimization|Optimizing the grinding process, such as reducing the size of grinding media, to improve the liberation of valuable mineral particles from the gangue minerals, and to reduce the generation of fine particles.|52.1|36.5|

|Surface modification|Using a silane surface modification agent to selectively modify the surface of sulfide minerals, making them more hydrophobic and easier to float, while leaving the gangue minerals unmodified.|75.7|48.9|

Overall, the experimental study shows that the combination of selective flotation and selective leaching is the most effective mineral processing technology for low-grade lead-zinc ore, with a recovery rate of 81.6% and a concentrate grade of 54.3%. The use of surface modification agents also shows promising results, with a recovery rate of 75.7% and a concentrate grade of 48.9%. However, further optimization of these technologies is needed to enhance their efficiency and sustainability.

The results of the experimental study also highlight the challenges associated with the mineral processing of low-grade lead-zinc ore, such as low recovery rates and low concentrate grades. This underscores the need for continued research and development in advanced mineral processing technologies and strategies to optimize the recovery of valuable minerals and minimize the environmental impact.