Pre-Enrichment of Lead-Zinc Leaching Tailings by Hydrocyclone

In this study, pre-enrichment of a typical lead-zinc leaching plant solid tailings were investigated. After the leaching process, due to the decrease in the grain size of the residual minerals (filter cake) and the deterioration of the mineral crystal structures, a concentrate with high recovery for lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) could not be obtained with mineral enrichment methods / machines such as flotation, multi-gravity separator (MGS), shaking table and Knelson separator. It was determined that the Pb and Zn minerals were concentrated in very fine fractions (<75 μm) by chemical analyzes according to grain size fraction. Thus, it was decided to perform the enrichment method according to the grain size classification and 150 micron sieve and hydrocyclone were used respectively in the enrichment process. After the sieving, a concentration (51.35% by weight) was obtained with 86.64% Pb and 64.84% Zn recoveries. The enrichment process was continued with a series of hydrocyclone experiments using the obtained pre-concentrate. The highest recoveries for Pb and Zn with hydrocyclone experiments were obtained as 71.18% and 52.6%, respectively. As a result, it was found appropriate to disperse the agglomerated coarse sized grains using a roller and/or bar mill prior to sieving to obtain a concentrate with higher recovery