| The effect of pulp potential on the recovery of copper, lead, zinc and iron from the ore of Kidd Creek Mines (Timmins, Ontario) was examined. Air and nitrogen as flotation gases were compared for their effect on the metallurgical response (recovery and the separation efficiency of Cu/Zn and Cu/Fe).;The extraction of metal cations from the mineral surface in-situ by EDTA at varying pulp potentials and with various reagent schemes was performed, and the differences in extraction from concentrates and tailings was examined. The effect of aeration on the extraction of cations Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe was analysed as well as its effect on dissolved oxygen (Dynamic Dissolved Oxygen). Plant surveys of pulp potential, pH and extraction by EDTA are compared to laboratory values.;The optimum pulp potential for the recovery of copper with no collector addition was -50 mV (vs Ag/AgCl). Collector increased the range of pulp potential where maximum copper recovery could be achieved. The maximum separation efficiency between copper/zinc and copper/iron was approximately -230mV and -50mV, respectively.;Copper was not extracted by EDTA, possibly due to its incorporation in the lattice of pyrite and sphalerite. The extraction of iron, zinc, and lead from the feed decreased with increased aeration, and was not strongly affected by the addition of SO2, lime or collector.;The factors Em and Es (mg metal per gram of solid and mg of metal per gram of metal, respectively) were developed to analyse the data obtained. The differences in the extraction of iron between tails and concentrates was strongly related to the separation efficiency.;Extractions at specific pulp potentials were found to be similar between the plant and laboratory. |
