Abstract:
The copper grade of a complex zinc smelting slag from Hubei is around 1.01%. The main occurrence state of the copper is in the form of isomorphism in pyrrhotite, then is in the iron oxide (magnetite and hematite). Gangue minerals are mainly glassiness. After researching the mineral composition and copper occurrence state, the experiments on recovery of copper were carried out for raw smelting slag samples and tailings after magnetic separation, respectively. The influence of different types of activators and collectors on copper recovery was launched. The results indicate that, using combined collectors of ammonium aerofloat + ethyl thiocarbamate for roughing process of raw smelting slag samples, adopting open-circuit flotation technological flowsheet of one roughing, two cleaning and one scavenging, copper concentrate with a copper grade of 5.10% and recovery of 66.09% can be obtained. Using collector of ammonium aerofloat for roughing process of raw smelting slag tailings after magnetic separation, adopting open-circuit flotation technological flowsheet of one roughing, two cleaning and one scavenging, copper concentrate with a copper grade of 3.45% and recovery of 57.61% can be obtained.