P roduc t da t a shee t
Mineral Processing
Use of AEROPHINE 3418A Promoter in the Flotation
of Complex Lead, Copper and Zinc Minerals with High
Silver Content
1. Lead and Copper Flotation
AEROPHINE 3418A promoter is an effective primary
collector in the selective flotation of:
Lead/gold/silver minerals with low copper content
Complex lead minerals with high silver content
Lead minerals where the copper mineralization is
secondary and the head grade of lead does not exceed
1.50 percent.
Typically, when the lead in heads exceeds 1.50 percent and/or
copper exceeds 0.20 percent, auxiliary collectors are required
for both metals. These collectors must be selective, so as to
avoid excessive use of sodium cyanide, which could reduce the
recovery of the minerals.
AEROPHINE 3418A promoter is highly selective against
iron and arsenic minerals (such as pyrite and arsenopyrite)
and non-activated zinc minerals. Current practice in several
Mexican beneficiation plants is to use this promoter to
selectively float lead minerals in the presence of iron, arsenic
and non-activated zinc minerals. The flotation circuits operate
at neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Consumption of sodium
cyanide is low to zero, depending on the arsenic content in
the heads.
Recommended Auxiliary Collectors for Lead
AERO XD504 promoter, AERO XD202 promoter.
Recommended Auxiliary Collectors for
Copper
AERO XD3000 promoter, AERO XD601 promoter,
AERO XD600 promoter.
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1.1 Collector Dosages for Lead
AEROPHINE 3418A Promoter
Dosages of 0.5 to 1.0 g/tonne are recommended for each
0.1 percent of lead in the heads, fed neat in the rougher and
scavenger flotation (80 percent and 20 percent respectively).
When AEROPHINE 3418A promoter replaces xanthate, use
one gram of AEROPHINE 3418A promoter in place of every
three grams of xanthate.
Auxiliary Collectors
These replace 50 percent of the total AEROPHINE 3418A
promoter dose, with typical consumptions of one to two g/
tonne for each gram of AEROPHINE 3418A promoter being
fed into the mill.
1.2 Collector Dosages for Copper
AEROPHINE 3418A Promoter
Dosages are the same as those used for lead (see above).
Auxiliary Collectors
AERO XD3000, AERO XD600 and AERO XD601 promoters
should be fed to the mill at a rate of one to two grams of
product for each 0.1 percent of copper in the heads, at a pH
ranging from neutral to 8.5. Avoid the use of sodium cyanide,
since this depressant will hinder the recovery of the copper
minerals and could also result in the evolution of poisonous
hydrogen cyanide. However, a zinc depressant is required.
Use zinc sulfate as a zinc depressant. Add at your discretion in the
mill, in the rougher and scavenger flotation and to the cleaners.
2. Zinc Flotation Activation
Zinc is floated after the lead-copper minerals have been recovered Activation of the zinc mineral is achieved with copper sulfate at a
through selective collectors. If a xanthate is used as the primary dosage of about 50 g/tonne for each one percent of zinc in the heads.
collector instead of AEROPHINE 3418A promoter, the iron not
floated at that stage may cause problems in the subsequent flotation Recommended Collectors for Zinc Flotation
of zinc. In such cases, it is recommended that a selective flotation be
conducted again. AERO XD601 promoter, AERO XD600 promoter and AERO
XD201 promoter, among others.
The zinc minerals should be floated in the traditional manner,
replacing the xanthate with a thionocarbamate (such as the 2.1 Collector Dosages for Zinc
AERO XD600 or XD601 promoters) or an XD5000 collector.
Dithiophosphates can be used as auxiliary collectors when xanthates, The XD5000 collectors and the thionocarbamates are fed at a dosage
thionocarbamates, or the XD5000 collectors are used as primary of 0.5 to 1.0 g/tonne for each 0.1 percent of zinc in heads, with
collectors. the pH between 9.0 and 9.5. The dithiophosphates require higher
alkalinity (pH 10.0 to 10.5), with dosages ranging from one to two
When the xanthate is replaced with a thionocarbamate or an g/tonne for each 0.1 percent of zinc in heads.
XD5000 collector, the latter should be dosed at a ratio of one gram
for every three grams of xanthate, while for dithiophosphates the The zinc associated with sphalerite generally requires lower dosages of
ratio should be one to one. collector and frother, and a lower dosage of lime.

Alkalinity
The pH of the circuit will depend on the zinc concentration in the
marmatite ore. Higher concentrations will require higher alkalinity,
ranging from pH 9.5 to 10.5. The pH level should be adjusted
with lime.

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