3018
Flotation of Cu-Zn Ores with Complex Mineralogy and
Surface Characteristics
Zafir Ekmekçi, Özlem Bıçak, Seda Özçelik
Hacettepe University, Mining Engineering Department
Oğuz Atıl Karamercan
Polimetal Madencilik A.Ş.
ABSTRACT: Flotation performance of Cu-Zn sulfide ores is highly dependent on the mineralogical
characteristics of the ore and surface characteristics of the copper and zinc minerals. These characteristics are
generally determined by geological formations. The volcanogenic deposits contain high amounts of pyrite (up
to 80%), sphalerite, chalcopyrite and often pyrrhotite. The complexity of the ore could be highly variable with
the presence of transitional zones containing secondary copper minerals (chalcocite, covellite, bornite, and
enargite) and copper activated sphalerite. These types of ores are classified as highly complex ores according to
their processing characteristics and their floatability is related to the degree of alteration.
An enriched Ore sample from a complex Cu-Zn ore deposit was used in this study. A hybrid process flowsheet
with combined hydrometallurgy-flotation processes was tested to improve the copper recovery and solve the
Cu/Zn selectivity problems. The research study involves detailed chemical-mineralogical characterization, flo-
tation tests, cyanide leaching and flotation on the leach residue. The results show that the combined cyanide
leaching-flotation process produced the best recovery and grade values. An acceptable copper flotation perfor-
mance could be obtained when the copper extraction is 50% in the CN leaching stage. The total copper and
zinc recoveries from the hybrid flowsheet were calculated as 83.53% and 77.51% respectively.
INTRODUCTION
The major economic copper minerals in sulfide ore deposits
are chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite and covellite. Bornite,
chalcocite and covellite are classified as secondary copper
minerals according to their geological history and miner-
alization mechanism (Sikka, et al., 1991, Kettanah, 2019).
The secondary copper minerals are water soluble to some
extent, and cause problems in selective flotation of Cu-Zn
ores due to dissolution of the copper ions during grinding
and flotation, and undesirable activation of the sphalerite
in flotation.
The geology and formation of copper ores are influ-
enced by a combination of geological, geochemical, and
hydrothermal processes that occur over millions of years.
The typical copper ore formations are classified as igneous,
hydrothermal, sedimentary, and secondary enrichment.
The enriched copper ore deposits are formed through sec-
ondary enrichment processes, where copper minerals are
Flotation of Cu-Zn Ores with Complex Mineralogy and
Surface Characteristics
Zafir Ekmekçi, Özlem Bıçak, Seda Özçelik
Hacettepe University, Mining Engineering Department
Oğuz Atıl Karamercan
Polimetal Madencilik A.Ş.
ABSTRACT: Flotation performance of Cu-Zn sulfide ores is highly dependent on the mineralogical
characteristics of the ore and surface characteristics of the copper and zinc minerals. These characteristics are
generally determined by geological formations. The volcanogenic deposits contain high amounts of pyrite (up
to 80%), sphalerite, chalcopyrite and often pyrrhotite. The complexity of the ore could be highly variable with
the presence of transitional zones containing secondary copper minerals (chalcocite, covellite, bornite, and
enargite) and copper activated sphalerite. These types of ores are classified as highly complex ores according to
their processing characteristics and their floatability is related to the degree of alteration.
An enriched Ore sample from a complex Cu-Zn ore deposit was used in this study. A hybrid process flowsheet
with combined hydrometallurgy-flotation processes was tested to improve the copper recovery and solve the
Cu/Zn selectivity problems. The research study involves detailed chemical-mineralogical characterization, flo-
tation tests, cyanide leaching and flotation on the leach residue. The results show that the combined cyanide
leaching-flotation process produced the best recovery and grade values. An acceptable copper flotation perfor-
mance could be obtained when the copper extraction is 50% in the CN leaching stage. The total copper and
zinc recoveries from the hybrid flowsheet were calculated as 83.53% and 77.51% respectively.
INTRODUCTION
The major economic copper minerals in sulfide ore deposits
are chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite and covellite. Bornite,
chalcocite and covellite are classified as secondary copper
minerals according to their geological history and miner-
alization mechanism (Sikka, et al., 1991, Kettanah, 2019).
The secondary copper minerals are water soluble to some
extent, and cause problems in selective flotation of Cu-Zn
ores due to dissolution of the copper ions during grinding
and flotation, and undesirable activation of the sphalerite
in flotation.
The geology and formation of copper ores are influ-
enced by a combination of geological, geochemical, and
hydrothermal processes that occur over millions of years.
The typical copper ore formations are classified as igneous,
hydrothermal, sedimentary, and secondary enrichment.
The enriched copper ore deposits are formed through sec-
ondary enrichment processes, where copper minerals are