Analysis of the processing refractory and favorable beneficiation flowsheet of an oxidized Lead-zinc ores

The process mineralogy of an oxidized lead-zinc ore in Hanyuan, Sichuan was studied by optical microscope, ICP-AES, SEM, EDS in this paper. This research focuses on the occurrence of Cu, Pb,Zn and mineralogy factors that influence the cerussite recycle. The chemical analysis results indicate that the raw ore contains 4.84% Pb, 1.46% Zn, 1.41% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au and 73.1g/t Ag. The contents of sulfide minerals are as follows: 11.28% pyrite, 6.24% cerussite, 1.34% galena, 2.63% sphalerite, 3.97% chalcopyrite and chalcocite, 0.01% azurite. The gangue minerals consist of 44.88% dolomite, 13.11% quartz and 9.33% biotite. The statistical results of the process particle size show that cerussite is difficult to be separated because of the complex dissemination relationship between the cerussite and the other minerals, while sphalerite, chalcopyrite and chalcocite are relatively easier to be separated. The equilibrium assignment results of major elements indicate that 80.71% and 19.33% Pb respectively exist in cerussite and galena, all of Zn exists in sphalerite, 49.92% and 49.51% Cu respectively exist in chalcopyrite and chalcocite. Base on the comprehensive researhes of the lead-zinc ore dressing and the mineral characteristics of ore, it is pointed out that separating the plumbum oxide minerals from gangue is the effective way to concentrate Pb. At last, we suggest that the principle process should be Cu-Pb flotation—galena flotation—sulfide flotation- intensify cerussite flotation.