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Substitution of Zinc Sulphate with a Biodegradable
Nontoxic Reagent
Jose Antonio Mejía, Felipe Rey
BioResco SAC, Lima, Perú
ABSTRACT: Zinc sulfate, a depressant for zinc sulfides (sphalerite), is used in polymetallic flotation process to
extract valuable metals such as copper, silver, and lead. This work focused on replacing zinc sulfate through the
use of non-toxic biodegrable product, which not only led to the successful important reduction of traditional
depressants, but also results in greater recovery rates of valuable metals such as those mentioned above.
The product under study is called BRD-400, a biodegradable nontoxic formula which has a fantastic and
adequate response as a depressant. The results of working with BRD indicates that this product can success-
fully replace zinc sulfate at a tenth of the normal dosage, promoting the descarbonization of any polimetallic
operation.
Furthermore, it was detected that the product BRD promotes water efficiency and reduces water contamination
with its usage. The constant saturation of sulfate ions and zinc ions in the waters of the operation is mitigated
quite rapidly since the product BRD replaces zinc sulfate and does not contain any of those elements on is
productionm, which uses good quality non-toxic raw materials. This promotes a greater degree of reuse recycled
water and has an important effect reducing the consumption of copper sulfate (between 20 and 40 percent )in
the subsequent activation process of zinc sulfides.
Keywords: Sphalerite, zinc sulfate, collector, depressant
INTRODUCTION
In the flotation processes of valuable minerals, the mining
industry uses different types of chemicals to separate and
control the flotation of certain metallic elements in the dif-
ferent stages of the process. This is done to obtain a valu-
able mineral concentrate of the highest degree of purity and
with the least amount of interferents to generate the utmost
benefit per kilo of concentrate.
Specifically in the case of the flotation of polymetal-
lic minerals containing Zn Sulfides and Fe Sulfides (Pyrite,
sphalerite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite), it is important
to ensure the lowest amount of iron in the concentrate of
valuable ore containing Cu sulfides or Zn, Ag, Pb, and Au,
oxides .In the same order, it is essential to concentrate zinc
separately through a continuous process after concentrating
the sulfides or oxides of Cu, Ag, Pb, Au, while ensuring the
lowest amount of iron present.
Traditionally, the use of zinc sulfate as a depressant uses
large dosis of this salt in the initial stages of polymetallic
flotation. The uncontrolled and high consumption of this
input produces negative effects on the water, that increases
over time, generating saturation of the water by the ions
Substitution of Zinc Sulphate with a Biodegradable
Nontoxic Reagent
Jose Antonio Mejía, Felipe Rey
BioResco SAC, Lima, Perú
ABSTRACT: Zinc sulfate, a depressant for zinc sulfides (sphalerite), is used in polymetallic flotation process to
extract valuable metals such as copper, silver, and lead. This work focused on replacing zinc sulfate through the
use of non-toxic biodegrable product, which not only led to the successful important reduction of traditional
depressants, but also results in greater recovery rates of valuable metals such as those mentioned above.
The product under study is called BRD-400, a biodegradable nontoxic formula which has a fantastic and
adequate response as a depressant. The results of working with BRD indicates that this product can success-
fully replace zinc sulfate at a tenth of the normal dosage, promoting the descarbonization of any polimetallic
operation.
Furthermore, it was detected that the product BRD promotes water efficiency and reduces water contamination
with its usage. The constant saturation of sulfate ions and zinc ions in the waters of the operation is mitigated
quite rapidly since the product BRD replaces zinc sulfate and does not contain any of those elements on is
productionm, which uses good quality non-toxic raw materials. This promotes a greater degree of reuse recycled
water and has an important effect reducing the consumption of copper sulfate (between 20 and 40 percent )in
the subsequent activation process of zinc sulfides.
Keywords: Sphalerite, zinc sulfate, collector, depressant
INTRODUCTION
In the flotation processes of valuable minerals, the mining
industry uses different types of chemicals to separate and
control the flotation of certain metallic elements in the dif-
ferent stages of the process. This is done to obtain a valu-
able mineral concentrate of the highest degree of purity and
with the least amount of interferents to generate the utmost
benefit per kilo of concentrate.
Specifically in the case of the flotation of polymetal-
lic minerals containing Zn Sulfides and Fe Sulfides (Pyrite,
sphalerite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite), it is important
to ensure the lowest amount of iron in the concentrate of
valuable ore containing Cu sulfides or Zn, Ag, Pb, and Au,
oxides .In the same order, it is essential to concentrate zinc
separately through a continuous process after concentrating
the sulfides or oxides of Cu, Ag, Pb, Au, while ensuring the
lowest amount of iron present.
Traditionally, the use of zinc sulfate as a depressant uses
large dosis of this salt in the initial stages of polymetallic
flotation. The uncontrolled and high consumption of this
input produces negative effects on the water, that increases
over time, generating saturation of the water by the ions