Abstract:The flotation separation of smithsonite from calcite and quartz using a alkyl diamine ether (GE-609) as the collector was investigated through micro-flotation experiments and the real ore flotation experiments. The results show that GE-609 exhibits good collecting capability to three minerals without selectivity. The presence of sodium sulfide enhances the flotation of smithsonite and calcite while inhibits quartz. Moreover, both sodium silicate and sodium hexametaphosphate exhibit good selective inhibition to calcite. The real ore test results show that a zinc concentrate containing 23.51% Zn with the recovery of 71.02% is obtained in the closed-circuit test. To understand the adsorption of GE-609 on smithsonite surface, zeta potential measurement and FTIR analysis were carried out, and the results indicate that the collector GE-609 can adsorb on smithsonite surface through both electrostatic adsorption and chemical adsorption, and the presence of sodium sulfide enhances the adsorption of GE-609.

Key words: smithsonite; quartz; calcite; alkyl diamine ether; sodium sulfide; sulphidization flotation