Influence of polysorbate 80 on flotation of zinc oxide ores with amine collector

Abstract

In this study, the influence of polysorbate 80 on zinc oxide flotation was investigated with an amine collector. The results indicated that the pretreatment of amines with polysorbate 80 enhanced the Zn grade and recovery obtained using zinc oxide flotation. Desliming prior to flotation is not suggested based on the results of this study. The appropriate temperature for flotation was as low as 8 °C, and this flotation method also could be applied to different types of zinc oxide ores. Under optimum flotation conditions, a concentrate with a Zn grade of 48.34% and a Zn recovery of 95.97% was obtained.