AP23489765 – Improvement of oxidized ore beneficiation technology based on new non-toxic sulfur-containing reagents
Objective of the project – Development of technology for processing difficult-to-process polymetallic raw materials using environmentally friendly reagents. The proposed technology will improve the technological performance of flotation enrichment of difficult-to-enrich polymetallic raw materials containing noble and rare metals by 3-5% with a reduction in the consumption of the proposed reagents by 10-20%.
Relevance: In recent years, there has been a decline in the quality of mineral raw materials and a worsening of environmental issues in the mining and metallurgical industry, which requires the improvement of ore preparation processes and the development of selective flotation reagents. The need to comply with environmental standards has led to the creation of new reagent regimes combining high efficiency, selectivity, and minimal toxicity. The efficiency of flotation largely depends on the quality and range of reagents used, making the development of new flotation reagents for processing complex polymetallic ores a highly relevant task. Most ores require an individual approach, as identical reagent schemes yield different results for different deposits, necessitating adaptation through extensive laboratory and pilot studies. Flotation is widely used for processing copper, copper-zinc, and polymetallic ores, as well as metallurgical waste. Oxidized and mixed ores are often processed together with sulfide ores; however, their recovery remains a challenging task. Despite the well-known properties of hydrogen sulfide and sulfidizing agents, their application is limited due to toxicity and technological difficulties. In Kazakhstan, the problem is exacerbated by the depletion of the mineral resource base, with a significant portion of extracted raw materials consisting of difficult-to-process oxidized ores. The lack of cost-effective processing technologies leads to waste accumulation and increased production costs, making the development of efficient methods, including sulfidization and flotation, especially important.
Scientific supervisor: Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mambetaliyeva Alima Rahmatullaeva
Expected and achieved results: An efficient technology for concentrate separation using environmentally friendly reagents has been developed, enabling a 3–5% increase in the recovery of non-ferrous metals. Studies were conducted to determine the optimal consumption of sodium sulfide for maximizing lead recovery and to assess its effect on the recovery of gold, silver, and zinc. It was established that the optimal reagent dosage increases lead concentrate yield without compromising its quality and reduces losses of associated metals. Reagent regimes using environmentally friendly sulfur-containing reagents, including selective modified collectors, were developed and optimized. Their application made it possible to reduce Na₂S consumption without deterioration of technological performance, enhance selectivity, and improve component separation. The best results were achieved using the FRIM–2920 reagent, which provided a lead content of 4.13% and a recovery of 58.51%. Additionally, a reagent regime using calcium polysulfide (CaSn) was investigated, demonstrating higher efficiency compared to sodium sulfide. At a dosage of 700 g/t, lead content increased to 8.13%, recovery reached 53.56%, and silver recovery improved to 66.10%. It was found that CaSn forms stable sulfide films on mineral surfaces, improving hydrophobization and interaction with flotation reagents. As a result, a technology for processing difficult-to-enrich polymetallic raw materials was developed, allowing the replacement of toxic sodium sulfide and reducing sulfidizer consumption by 10–20%. The material composition was studied and flotation reagent regimes were optimized for the Ayak-Kodzhan and Koskuduk deposits using both basic and environmentally friendly reagents. The results confirm the possibility of improving flotation efficiency and metal recovery while reducing environmental impact.
List of publications with links to them
- Mambetaliyeva A., Tussupbekova T., Sabirova L., Makasheva G., Rysbekov K., Barmenshinova M. Study of oxidative–reductive potential changes in the enrichment of oxidized polymetallic ores // Applied Sciences. – 2025. – Vol. 15. – Art. 6091. – DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app15116091
- Мамбеталиева А.Р., Мухтаркызы А., Шаутенов М.Р. Исследование влияния сульфидирования с применением сернистого натрия на окисленные свинцово-цинковые руды месторождения Коскудук // Вестник КазУТБ. – 2024. – № 1. – DOI: https://doi.org/10.58805/kazutb.v.1.26-603