Moroccan Journal of Chemistry, Vol 7, No 2 (2019)

Effect of water quality on the performance of the galena and blend flotation: case of Draa Sfar complex sulphide ore, Morocco.

K. Boujounoui, A. Abidi, A. Bacaoui, K. El Amari, A. Yaacoubi

Abstract


To contribute to the process optimization project of MCG (Mining Company of Guemassa-Marrakech, Morocco), a study was carried out on the effect of water quality on the performance of galena and blend flotation, using recycling tailings dam water. Flotation tests were carried out on a galena and blend ore provided by the Mining Company of Guemassa-Marrakech, Morocco (MCG).

The obtained results showed that the mixture between the two types of water (Clear and tailing dam waters) in Pb circuit provides a lead recovery (72, 70 %) with a good quality of the final concentrate and selectivity toward (Cu, Zn and Fe). In the case of Zn circuit, the tailing dam water gives a good Zn recovery compared to those obtained in the case of clear water (≈ 70 %), but a low quality of the final Zn concentrate (42 %) than in the case of clear water (48 %) and the mixture water (45%).