Beneficiation of Lakhshak Antimony Ore Using Flotation Method

An investigation on beneficiation of Lakhshak antimony ore was carried out using flotation methods. The grade of antimony in representative sample was 17.23%. The most important minerals were stibnite, quartz and pyrite and the degree of liberation of stibnite was found to be 700 micrometer. The raw material was divided into three size fractions and beneficiation of fine size fraction (-210+38 m) was floated. The grade of mentioned fraction was 20.50 %. Taguchi method was used in flotation tests and optimum conditions were determined as follows: CuSO4 (1700g/t) as an activator, potassium etyle xanthate (900 g/t) as a collector, MIBC as a frother, pulp density 22% and grain size -150+38 m. All the experiments were carried out at pH = 6.8. As a result the grade and recovery of antimony was obtained 38% (Sb) and 91% respectively.