Dissolution of fine and intermediate sized galena particles and their interactions with iron hydroxide colloids.

Dissolution of fine (-10 microm) and intermediate (+10-53 microm) galena particles was studied in the presence and absence of iron hydroxide colloids at pH 9 with nitrogen and oxygen purging. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements and ethylene diamine-tetra acid (EDTA) extraction of the galena particles after dissolution indicate that galena dissolution is strongly dependent on particle size. Fine galena particles produced a much higher amount of lead hydroxide species per surface area than intermediate galena particles. Gas purging only affected galena dissolution slightly. More iron hydroxide colloids adsorbed on fine particles. Zeta potential measurements indicate that galena dissolution enhances the adsorption of iron hydroxide colloids due to the electrostatic attraction between lead hydroxide products and iron hydroxide colloids at pH 9. This explains the stronger affinity of iron hydroxide colloids to fine galena particles than intermediate galena particles. This study has an important implication in sulfide flotation where iron hydroxide colloids play a dominant role in mineral depression.