Center of Earth Sciences, Metallurgy and Ore Benefication JSC (Republic of Kazakhstan):

Tusupbayev N. K., Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Head of Laboratory, nesipbay@mail.ru

Semushkina L. V., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Leading Researcher, syomushkina.lara@mail.ru
Turysbekov D. K., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Senior Researcher, dula@mail.ru

Yerzhanova Zh. А., Researcher, jadu76@mail.ru

JSC National Scientific and Technological Holding «Parasat» (Republic of Kazakhstan):

Bekturganov N. S., Academician of National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Scientific Consultant of JSC, n.bekturganov@parasat.com.kz

University of Minnesota (USA):

Tusupbayev S. N., Ph. D. in Computational Chemistry, Researcher

A technology has been developed for a new sphalerite activator production on the basis of natural copper minerals and copper concentrate produced at the Zhezkazgan concentrating plant (Kazakhstan). According to the phase analysis results, copper concentrate composition includes, in addition to chalcopyrite, secondary copper minerals – bornite, chalcocite, covellite. In order to produce activator, copper minerals’ samples were subjected to mechanical treatment and ultrasonic exposure by means of vibratory microgrinder «Pulverisette O» by Fritsch, and ultrasonic apparatus UZDN-A1200T. Bargraphs, obtained by means of particle size analyzer Photocor Compact, showed, that quantity of chalcocite particles with size of 100-106 nm amounted to 92.7 %, and covellite with size of 113.6–115.4 nm – 93.8 %. Flotation action of the produced activators upon sphalerite was tested under laboratory conditions on the Tishinskoye deposit ore (Kazakhstan). Commercial processing of this ore by means of zinc flotation is performed with application of copper sulphate, its consumption being 800–1000 g/t. It is shown, that the new activators based on covellite (consumption being by the factor of 8–10 smaller, than that of copper sulphate) and copper concentrate (consumption being twice as small) permit to substitute expensive copper sulphate not deteriorating the metallurgical results in zinc concentrate production (zinc grade and recovery). It was established, that the proposed activators are distinguished by a highly activating action, resulting from sphalerite hydrophobic nature enhancement, related to superequivalent adsorption of copper compounds on zinc mineral surface.

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