Determination of optimum flotation conditions of Niğde (Ulukışla-Madenköy) Bolkardağı sulfured lead-zinc complex ore

In this study, optimum flotation conditions of Pb-Zn complex ore of Niğde-Ulukışla region were investigated. Grinding + flotation experiments were carried out on the sulphide Pb-Zn complex ore sample taken from Niğde (Ulukışla-Madenköy) region. According to the mineralogical analysis of the ore sample used in the experimental studies, the ore composition contained calcite, quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite, hematite, goethite, limonite, gypsum, galena, sphalerite, jarosite, arsenopyrite and marcasite minerals. In addition, Au and Ag grains were found to be inclusions in hematite, goethite and jarosite minerals. Experiments were carried out at 30% solids, 10 L / min air flow rate, 1250 rpm stirring speed lead circuit pH = 9 and zinc circuit pH = 12. Reagents and quantities required for grinding, Pb and Zn rough flotation were determined. In flotation tests, sodium carbonate in the lead circuit, quicklime in the zinc circuit are used as the pH regulator, zinc sulphate, sodium silicate as the depressant, sodium isobutyl dithiophosphine as the collector and methyl isobutyl carbinol as the frother. In the experiments, 8 minutes in the grinding circuit, 4 minutes in the Pb circuit and 5 minutes in the Zn circuit were applied. As a result, The lead grade of lead concentrate for 55.13%,the recovery for 80.63%, and zinc grade of zinc concentrate for 37.32%, the recovery for 77.60% were obtained. Keywords: Coarse flotation, lead-zinc complex ore, Niğde-Ulukışla, grinding, sulfured ore