RIVS Research and Production, Saint-Petersburg, Russia:

K. M. Arustamyan, Head of New Flotation Methodology Laboratory, K_Arusyamyan@rivs.ru
S. A. Romanenko, Leading Production Design Engineer

The article addresses the issue of recycling water supply in flotation of complex sulfide ores at Nikolaevskaya Processing Plant. Chemical composition of reclaimed water used in different seasons for a few years of the processing plant operation is analyzed. It is shown that ion components in reclaimed water are highly variable, which specifically regards cations of heavy metals that violate selectivity of flotation. High residual content of СаО contributes to activation of zinc mineral flotation at the beginning of the processing circuit, which results in elevated zinc loss in bulk concentrate. With a view to reducing CaO content of reclaimed water, experimental treatment of reclaimed water with sulfuric acid was carried out. Initial reclaimed water (CaO content of 644 mg/l) was compared with modified reclaimed water (CaO contents of 390, 260, 112 and 56 mg/l). It was found the modified reclaimed water with CaO content of 260 mg/l substantially improved flotation selectivity. Based on the positive experimental results, a technology has been developed for treatment of reclaimed water until optimal composition of salt for commercial application at Nikolaevskaya Processing Plant. The technology includes the automatic control of reclaimed water properties involving a bimetallic pair of electrodes.

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