Investigation of selective flotation conditions of the Çanakkale Yenice Kalkim lead zinc and copper ores and sinking of lead with the sodium metabisulphite

In this study, the complex lead-zinc-copper ore located in the territory of Canakkale Province, Yenice County, Kalkım District has been worked on. Flotation has been sellected as the appropriate enrichment method due to the physical and mineralogical characteristics of the ore. The optimum flotation conditions was determined. And then flotation tests were done to determine the depressant for selective flotation circuit of lead and copper.The existing environmental concerns about mining, direct the studies to reduce the environmental impacts. Potassium dichromate is an undesired chemical with carcinogen impacts and environmental drawbacks. Sodium metabisulphide is less dangerous than potassium dichromate for environment and human health.In flotation studies, sodium metabisulphide was used and 89.74 percent cumulative recovery with 66.32 percent Pb content and 35.67 percent cumulative recovery with 24.94 percent Cu content was obtained. The positive and negative aspects of sodium metabisulphide, compared to potassium dichromate were discussed.