Flotation properties of a particular type of sphalerite

Flotation characteristics of sphalerite with a certain composition were studied with xanthate type collectors and without addition of collectors. Flotation tests were carried out with purified sphalerite by micro-flotation technique. Sphalerite can be floated with xanthates in the absence of activators and zinc sulfate is the most effective depressant for this selected sphalerite. Collectorless flotation is also possible especially in acidic pH values. Iso-electric point of this selected sphalerite was found at pH 9 by electrophoretic mobility measurements, and the addition of xanthate shifted this value to pH 6. Some results obtained from micro-flotation experiments were tested in laboratory Denver flotation machine with sphalerite ore from the same origin. Although flotation characteristics are completely different in collectorless flotation, same flotation results were achieved in the flotation tests with collector and depressants.