Effect of depressants in the selective flotation of smithsonite and calcite using cationic collector

This work studied the effects of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), tanning extract, water glass (WG) and calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) as depressants for the separation of smithsonite from calcite by using a cationic collector called octadecylamine acetate (ODA). Micro-flotation experimental tests showed that CLS can greatly and selectively depress calcite. When the dosages of CLS used were 20 and 40 mg/L, a concentrate with Zn grades of 42.54% and 49.32% and Zn recoveries of 81.66% and 68.00% was achieved in the flotation separation of mixed mineral (1:1 smithsonite:calcite). Zeta potential and adsorption measurements revealed that the adsorption of CLS on calcite’s surface was greater than that on smithsonite’s surface. When CLS was added, the adsorption of ODA was hindered greatly on the calcite’s surface but slightly on the smithsonite’s surface.