Significant reduction in collector consumption by implementing ultrafine bubbles in lead and zinc rougher flotation

Ultrafine bubbles were applied to the rougher flotation of the lead and zinc minerals, and the effects of the particle size (−38, −75, and − 106 μm) and collector concentration (potassium ethyl xanthate: 60, 80, 100, and potassium amyl xanthate: 10, 20, 30 g/t) were investigated on the lead and zinc recovery by implementing central composite and two-level full factorial designs, respectively. Considering the results, particle size was the most effective variable which substantially enhanced the lead recovery from 27.6 to 63.65%, and the zinc recovery from 59.92 to 84.88%. Also, the introduction of ultrafine bubbles improved the lead and zinc recoveries by about 7.41 and 1.22%, respectively. It could be concluded that the adsorbed ultrafine bubbles helped collectors in making the particle surface hydrophobic, and consequently reduced the reagent consumption. In conclusion, the application of ultrafine bubbles to the lead‑zinc flotation proved to be beneficial from the metal recovery aspect.