National University of Science and Technology MISiS (Russia):

Shekhirev D. V., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor, shekhirev@list.ru
Smaylova A. B., Engineer
Dumov A. M., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor

Difficultly-treated ores form the basis of the Russian nonferrous and precious metals mineral resources base. In particular, many of the promising lead-zinc deposits are represented by high-sulfur finely-disseminated difficultly-treated ores. Development of technologies for difficultlytreated ores processing is one of the priority tasks for the short-term exploratory research works. In most cases rebellious ores are distinguished not only by fine dissemination, but also by closeness of separated minerals flotation properties. The only way to process this type of ores is to apply combination technologies, separating part of metals into a rebellious bulk product to be subsequently treated at hydrometallurgical process stage. Owing to complexity of combination technologies, a necessity of their application must be based on ore dressability analysis in relation to its material composition. By way of example in this work, a processing method is proposed for difficultly-treated lead-zinc ore and its dressability is determined by means of apparatus quantitative mineralogical analysis. An individual calculation algorithm was developed for maximum dressability curves with respect of consecutive separation of two concentrates, complying with certain requirements to composition of mineral particles separated into concentrates. With regard to the studied rebellious ore in question, it is shown that the achieved liberation of the minerals theoretically provides for satisfactory metallurgical results that are significantly higher than the experimentally achieved indices. A new method of calculation is proposed for determination of two types of recovery parameters for minerals, associated with different sorts of particles, differing in size and presence of intergrowths. Higher recoveries of pyrite and sphalerite into rougher lead concentrate and pyrite into rougher zinc concentrate are demonstrated for 10 to 90 microns size fraction as liberated particles, if compared with intergrowths and particles smaller than 10 microns. Exactly these flotoactive forms of pyrite and sphalerite lead to formation of rebellious lead-zinc product to be subjected to hydrometallurgical process stage.

The work was performed with the financial aid from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, the Project No. RFMEFI57514X0085.

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