Improving the Efficiency of Flotation Enrichment of Oxidized Lead-Zinc Ores Using Calcium Polysulfide

The progressive depletion of high-grade sulfide ores necessitates the development of effective enrichment methods for oxidized lead–zinc ores. This study investigates the application of sulfidization flotation for oxidized ores from the Koskuduk deposit, focusing on the use of calcium polysulfide (CaSₓ) as an alternative to conventional sodium sulfide. Laboratory tests demonstrated that a CaSₓ dosage of 700 g/t led to superior recovery rates for lead (53.56%) and silver (66.1%) compared to sodium sulfide. Mineralogical and chemical analyses confirmed the dominance of oxidized forms of lead and zinc in the ore, emphasizing the importance of efficient sulfidization. The study establishes optimal flotation parameters to improve the recovery of valuable metals, highlighting calcium polysulfide as a more sustainable and effective sulfidizing agent.