Beneficiation of Artvin-Cerattepe copper-zinc ore by flotation

The Cerattepe (Artvin) mine contains volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits in northeastern Turkey. This study aimed to investigate the flotation behavior of a mixed ore sample, comprising two different ores with distinct flotation behaviors. Batch flotation tests were conducted on a mixed ore containing 2.18% Cu, 1.46% Zn, 38.35% Fe, and 41.6% S. The conventional selective flotation method was unsuccessful in achieving efficient separation of copper from zinc due to the ore's complex mineralogy and low liberation degree. Consequently, sequential selective flotation resulted in poor copper recovery. Various flotation parameters, including collector type, collector amount, particle size, and pH, were examined to achieve a bulk copper-zinc concentrate. Optimal conditions were identified using thionocarbamate and dithiophosphine collectors at a particle size of d80=40 µm, achieving a copper yield of 84.4% and a zinc yield of 88.9%. The bulk concentrate contained 13% Cu and 9.5% Zn. After further processing, a concentrate with 91.8% copper and 92.5% zinc recoveries was obtained. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of optimized flotation parameters in the processing of complex copper-zinc ores.