Beneficiation of Complex Zinc-Lead Ores from Görgü (Malatya, Turkey) Region by Selective Flotation

The growing demand for zinc and lead metals necessitated beneficiation of complex and oxidized zinc-lead ores, the ore types which are considered as difficult-to-float with conventional flotation. This study aimed to investigate flotation behavior of complex zinc-lead ores from Görgü (Malatya) region that contains 2.92% Pb and 11.86% Zn. The characterization of flotation fractions by XRD, XRF, ICP, and elemental analysis provided valuable data for interpretation of the results. Studies revealed the effectiveness of various types and dosages of reagents in the flotation. It was found that high dosages of collector (e.g., 500 g/t KAX), sulfidizing agent (e.g., 5000 g/t Na₂S.9H₂O), and depressing/dispersing agents (e.g., 4000–5000 g/t Na₂SiO₃ and 2000–3000 g/t Na₂CO₃) was required to separate lead minerals effectively. In a single rougher flotation, a lead concentrate of 38.50% Pb grade could be obtained with 70.57% recovery. Nevertheless, zinc flotation results were not satisfactory as the zinc recovery and grade, respectively, could not exceed 17.70% and 17.01%.