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Importance of copper sulfate adsorption quality in the improvement of sphalerite separation: case of Chaabat El Hamra Deposit (Algeria)

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Parent Category: 2025

Category: Content №3 2025

Created on 25 June 2025

Last Updated on 25 June 2025

Published on 30 November -0001

Written by B. -E. Benaissa, A. Chaib, M. Chettibi, A. Ksouri, S. Salhi, C. Curceanu

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Authors:

B.-E. Benaissa*, orcid.org/0009-0001-2504-7468, University of Badji Mokhtar, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Mining Department, Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Environment “LAVAMINE”, Annaba, Algeriae-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A.Chaib, orcid.org/0009-0002-9778-013X, University of Badji Mokhtar, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Mining Department, Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Environment “LAVAMINE”, Annaba, Algeria

M.Chettibi, orcid.org/0000-0002-2794-7937, University of Badji Mokhtar, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Mining Department, Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Environment “LAVAMINE”, Annaba, Algeria

A.Ksouri, orcid.org/0000-0002-1465-0907, University of Biskra, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry (LCA), Biskra, Algeria

S.Salhi, orcid.org/0009-0003-5220-8380, University of Badji Mokhtar, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Mining Department, Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Environment “LAVAMINE”, Annaba, Algeria

C.Curceanu, orcid.org/0000-0002-1990-0127, INFN-National Laboratories of Frascati, Rome, Italy

* Corresponding author e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

повний текст / full article

Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu. 2025, (3): 093 - 098

https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2025-3/093

Abstract:

Purpose. The purpose of our study involved the improvement of the Zn-recovery and its content in the concentrate while floating the sphalerite from raw ore, by controlling the behavior of sphalerite surface and its floatability in the cases of presence and absence of copper sulfate as activator reagent.

Methodology. Experimental flotation tests were carried out to assess the impact of two variable parameters: the dosage of copper sulfate and the dosage of ethyl xanthate. The mineralogical composition was obtained by X­ray Diffraction (XRD). The Complexometric titration method was used to measure the zinc grade and determine the Zinc recovery. The adsorption mechanism of EX on non-activated and activated sphalerite surfaces was analyzed, using the infrared (FTIR) analysis.

Findings. The results indicated that the ethyl xanthate does not respond well in the absence of the activator with sphalerite surface. Thus, the copper ions (Cu²⁺) significantly enhance the hydrophobicity of sphalerite. The optimal conditions were found at pH 11, with a CuSO₄ dosage of 1.3  10^-3 mol/L achieving a zinc recovery of 87.19 % with zinc grade of 38.17 %. Infrared analysis confirmed that EX reacts with Cu²⁺ ions, facilitating better adsorption on activated surfaces compared to non-activated surface.

Originality. The originality of the present request can be summarized first of all, in the new insights explaining the copper sulfate manner to improve the sphalerite flotation, then in the exploration of copper and collector ions chemical interaction on the mineral surface, leading to understand their role to enhance the flotation process.

Practical value. Practical importance can be concluded in the enhancing of technological process of flotation in Chaabet El Hamra factory, by giving more accurate reagents concentrations for instance ethyl-xanthate as a collector and copper sulfate as surface activator.

Keywords: sphalerite, ethyl xanthate, copper sulfate, flotation, adsorption

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