Implementation of Flotation to Recover Lead and Barite From Komsheche Mine Jig Tailings

Abstract

With the increase in the basic metal prices, including lead, in the global markets, the processing of this precious metal, particularly for low-grade deposits, has a high economic justification. Investigating the extraction of lead minerals, including galena which is one of the minerals associated with barite, is considered one of the products of barite by-products. The purpose of this research was to study on the potential of producing high-grade barite, and recovering lead concentrate as a by-product from the jig tailings of the Komsheche barite mine. The prepared sample was subjected to mineralogical studies, and the obtained results indicated that the sample contains barite, iron hydroxides and galena as the dominant minerals and the degree of liberation was 90-95% in the size of 100 microns. The work index of the sample was obtained by the standard bond ball mill which was 8.72 kWh/t, indicated that the sample was not hard. The lead and barite grades in sample were 0.34% and 64.83%, respectively. Considering the high specific gravity of lead and barite, the processing tests were carried out in 2 stages of primary pre-processing using Mozley multi-gravity separator and then enrichment by flotation approach. After the end of the Mozley tests, the grade of lead reached to 0.6%, some fines were removed, and the classified sample was prepared for the next stage, flotation. At the end, the grade of lead increased from 0.6% to 53% with a final recovery of 73.65% and separation efficiency was 73.48%. Also, the specific gravity and grade of barite reached from 3.9 g/cm3 and 67% to 4.4 g/cm3 and 95%, respectively. These values are remarkable and meet the needs of the industry.