Optimization of the reagent types and dosage in selective flotation of Cu-Zn Taknar mine by using D-Optimal method of statistical experiments design

In this research، optimization and modeling of chalcopyrite-sphalerite-pyrite selective flotation of TAKNAR Cu-Zn ore with 2. 91% Zn and 1. 26% Cu conducted by using D-Otimal method of experiments design. Process input factors were: A) four mixed collector types (MC1، MC2، MC3 and MC4)، B) Tow depressant systems: (CuCN (60 g/t) – ZnSO4 ((200-500 g/t)) system and dextrin – ZnSO4 system) and C) pH (8-12). According to the results obtained from experiments، quadratic model for both Cu and Zn recovery and linear model for pyrite content in Cu concentrate were selected. For both Cu and Zn recovery responses، the mixed collector type factor was the most important one and for pyrite content، pH was the most important factor. In optimum flotation conditions، Cu recovery، Zn recovery and pyrite content were 89. 04%، 25. 3% and 2. 02% respectively، with MC2 as mixed collector، dextrin as pyrite depressant، ZnSO4 dosage of 500 g/t and pH=11. 35. When ZnSO4 consumption was minimized، Cu recovery، Zn recovery and pyrite content were 88. 94%، 31. 24% and 1. 45% in pH=11. 93. Meanwhile MC3 wasn’t as effective as MC2 in selectivity between chalcopyrite، sphalerite and pyrite، it had better performance for Cu recovery and increased Cu recovery approximately 2%. (MC1=SIPX+Aero3477، MC2=SIPX+Aero238، MC3=SIPX+TC1000 و MC4=SIPX+X231)