Determination of the Influence of Thioglycollate on the Flotation of Galena (PbS)

Lead sulfide PbS or galenaGalena isThioglycollate associatedFlotation with multiple species; to efficiently separate it from worthless mineralsMineral, for example, pyritePyrite (FeS2), depressant reagents such as thioglycolate TG are used. In this work, the effect of the amount of TG and pH on the flotationFlotation efficiency of a single mineralMineral phase is explored, to determine whether TG activates or depresses PbS. The results found show that TG improves flotationFlotation compared to tests with only frother agent and with 0.1 g/L xanthateXanthate without TG. This reagent activates the mineralMineral surface and at pH 11 with 0.25 g/L of TG and 0.1 xanthateXanthate, 95% w/w of flotationFlotation is obtained, while for the test without TG, there is only 70% w/w of PbS flotationFlotation. pH values ​​7.7 and 10 similarly improve efficiency, obtaining values ​​of 90% w/w of PbS flotationFlotation in the presence of 0.25 and 0.75 g/L of TG, respectively, and with pulp potentialsPulp potential of +26 mV.