Reaction behaviors of Pb and Zn sulfates during reduction roasting of Zn leaching residue and flotation of artificial sulfide minerals

To evaluate the feasibility of recovering Pb and Zn sulfides and Ag-containing minerals from Zn leaching residue by the process of reduction roasting followed by flotation, the reaction behaviors of Pb and Zn sulfates during this process were investigated. Chemical analysis showed that the transformation ratios of PbSO₄ and ZnSO₄ could reach 65.51% and 52.12%, respectively, after reduction roasting, and the introduction of a sulfidation agent could improve the transformation ratios of these sulfates. scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) revealed that temperature obviously affects the particle size, crystal growth, and morphology of the artificial Pb and Zn sulfide minerals. Particle size analysis demonstrated that the particle size of the materials increases after roasting. Flotation tests revealed that a flotation concentrate composed of 12.01wt% Pb, 27.78wt% Zn, and 6.975 × 10⁻²wt% Ag with recoveries of 60.54%, 29.24%, and 57.64%, respectively, could be obtained after roasting.