Abstract: This is an article in the field of mineral processing engineering. Chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite are usually associated with each other. In order to find out the influence of Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ on the flotation behavior and surface characteristics of chalcopyrite, the difference of the influence of Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ on the floatability of chalcopyrite was studied by single mineral flotation test, solution chemical calculation, Zeta potential and XPS detection. The results show that Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ are adsorbed on the surface of chalcopyrite, which changes the Zeta potential of chalcopyrite surface and inhibits the floatability of chalcopyrite, and the inhibition increases with the increase of pH value. According to the flotation test results, zinc is mainly adsorbed on the surface of chalcopyrite in the form of Zn(OH)₂ precipitation in the range of pulp pH, which has an inhibitory effect on the flotation of chalcopyrite. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of Zn²⁺ on the flotation of chalcopyrite is more significant than that of Pb²⁺ and XPS results show that Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ can precipitate on the surface of chalcopyrite and exist on the surface of chalcopyrite in the form of chemical adsorption, thus inhibiting the floatability of chalcopyrite.