Abstract

In the light of the knowledge gained by the study of electrochemical flotation for galena and selective flotation of galena from lead-zinc-iron sulfide ores, a technology for accurate potential control based on intrinsic electrochemical behavior in grinding-flotation systems has been developed and is called "Original Potential Flotation (OPF)". The optimum conditions for the original potential flotation of galena from Pb-Zn-Fe sulfide ores are as follows: pH values of 12.5-12.8, potential of 150-180 mV and with diethyldithioncarbamate (DDTC) as collector. Lime is used as a regulator of pH, meanwhile, and can stabilize special potential very well, and this special potential is exactly the flotation potential of galena. This technology has been applied successfully in potential-control flotation of galena in many complex lead-zinc-iron sulfide mines in China.