Flotación de Minerales de Plomo; Caracterización Microscópica del Concentrado, Alimentación y Relaves

The low recovery efficiency of lead-containing sulfide and sulfosalt minerals by flotation is a common problem in concentration plants. Therefore, to identify the causes, flotation and scanning electron microscopy characterization of the surface state of the minerals present in the concentrate, feed, and tailings were carried out. The results indicate that the floated mineral contains 31.11% lead, 19.42% Sb, 15.02% Fe, 20.05% S, 8.76% Cu, 2.63% Zn, 1.94% As, 1500 g/t of silver, among other elements, obtaining a concentrate grade of 68.86%. The low recovery of lead and silver minerals is due to the encapsulation of valuable minerals in the quartz and pyrite matrix; also, to the lack of release of valuable minerals associated with gangue minerals, such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, or feldspars.