Abstract: In light of the features of certain Yunnan zinc oxide ore having a high content of limonite and with hemimorphite as its principal zinc oxide mineral, the effect of desliming condition, calcium sulfide dosage, type and dosage of dispersants and amines on the flotation index of hemimorphite was investigated. The test results show that pre-desliming can effectively improve the flotation performance of zinc oxide ore. The flotation recovery of hemimorphite can reach 89.15%, the run-of-mine based gross recovery of hemimorphite, 64.28% and the zinc concentrate grade, 28.72% when pre-desliming of -11um fraction is performed and 1.67kg/t sodium hexametaphosphate, 1.43kg/t octadecylamine and 14.28 kg/t sodium sulfide are used.

Key words: Hemimorphite, Zinc oxide ore, Sulfuration-amine flotation