Effect of Mineral Processing Wastewater on Electrochemistry of Galena

Electrochemical technology was introduced to study the floatability of galena in some wastewater samples from different processes of mineral processing plant in Fankou Lead-Zinc Mine. It is shown that the residual collector molecules in the wastewater from the thickening of lead and zinc concentrates can benefit the formation of lead xanthanate onto the surface of galena, yet, some special chemical components in the wastewater from zinc tailings and effluent may induce some surface reactions on galena, and herewith the direct reuse of this water may bring disadvantageous influence on galena flotation.