IMPACTS OF CATION (Co, Cd, Fe) SUBSTITUTION ON THE GEOMETALLURGICAL RESPONSE OF SPHALERITE

摘要

The influence of cation substitution on the flotation response of sphalerite has been widely reported over the past decades with particular emphasis on the influence of iron but minimal attention on the impacts of other associated impurities. To further expand on this important research concept, sphalerite doped with three common transition-metal (Cd, Co and Fe) impurities was synthesized using a dry experimental method. The influence of each individual cation on the surface charge, Cu-activation and collector adsorption was assessed using electro-kinetic techniques (zeta potential) which provide valuable information on the surface reactivity of impurity bearing sphalerite. The study illustrates different electro kinetic characteristics of sphalerite depending on the nature of the substituting metal resulting in multiple surface products. The study illustrates that maximum recovery of zinc requires a thorough multidisciplinary study and fundamental understanding of the impacts of individual cation substitution on mineral surface reactivity.