Flotation Kinetics of Oxidized Lead–Zinc Ore in the Eh–pH System Using Calcium Polysulfide

The flotation of oxidized lead–zinc ores presents a significant challenge due to the low floatability of oxidized minerals and their weak interaction with conventional reagents. This study investigates the influence of the electrochemical parameters of the pulp (redox potential, Eh, and pH) on the flotation kinetics of oxidized lead–zinc ore from the Koskuduk deposit. It was established that the use of sodium sulfide Na₂S leads to the selective activation of lead-bearing minerals (Pb recovery up to 40.74%) with low zinc recovery (~12%). The use of a polysulfide-lime system S:CaO:H₂O is proposed, providing more uniform and stable sulfidization of the mineral surface. It is shown that the application of this reagent increases recovery to 65.10% for lead and 56.89% for zinc. It was established that the maximum recoveries are achieved within an Eh range of -120 to -180 mV at pH 11-12. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the main contribution to metal recovery occurs within the first 2-6 minutes of flotation. The obtained results indicate that flotation efficiency is determined both by the type of reagent and by the electrochemical state of the pulp, and that the use of polysulfide systems represents a promising approach for the processing of oxidized lead-zinc ores.