Optimizing Zinc Recovery in Sulfide Mineral Flotation for Geometallurgical Characterization

This study aims to optimize zinc recovery from sulfide mineral flotation in the province of Oyón, Peru, by integrating detailed mineralogical characterization with a rigorous experimental design. Optical microscopy and TIMA electron microscopy identified marmatitic sphalerites with 17.24% distribution and 99.51% free species, along with gangue minerals such as epidote, garnet, and quartz. A three-factor experimental design evaluated ZnSO_4, NaCN dosage, and flotation pH to minimize zinc displacement during Pb-Cu bulk flotation, achieving a minimum Zn displacement of 5.14% with a 1.24% grade. Zn flotation tests optimized CuSO₄ and Xanthate Z-11 dosages, resulting in a zinc recovery of 97.61% and a concentrate grade of 48.06%. This comprehensive approach demonstrates significant improvements in zinc recovery and offers a replicable methodology for other mining regions with complex mineralogies, contributing to more sustainable and efficient mining practices.