Determination of maximum zinc recovery of Vazante mine ore by flotation process

Abstract Nowadays, Nexa Resources (ex-Votorantim Metais) operates two zinc mines in Brazil, represented by the Vazante unit in Vazante - MG and the Morro Agudo unit in Paracatu - MG. The present study was carried out at the Vazante unit, where zinc concentrate is produced from a silicate ore called Willemite (Zn2SiO4) through froth flotation processes. The two main objectives of the study were the determination of the maximum zinc recovery that could be obtained in flotation bench tests with specific controlled conditions and the mineral characterization of the tailings generated, using a SEM/...