Title: Schemes and Modes of Bismuth-Bearing Ore Beneficiation
Authors: Dr Eshonkulov Uchkun Khudaynazar ugli
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Pages: 1-8
Publication Date: 2025/09/28
Abstract:
This paper examines beneficiation methods for bismuth-bearing ores, focusing on flotation-based recovery and separation from copper, molybdenum, and polymetallic systems. Collective flotation using xanthates and conventional depressants achieves high copper (92-95%) and bismuth (95-98%) recoveries but lacks selectivity due to fine mineral intergrowth. Selective flotation strategies-employing lime, sodium sulfide, sulfite, chromic acid, cyanide, and cationic collectors-show variable effectiveness, with outcomes strongly influenced by pH control, reagent dosage, and mineral surface chemistry. Cyanide-based schemes can produce high-grade bismuth concentrates (up to 28.8% Bi) but face challenges of excessive reagent consumption, environmental risks, and reduced recovery at high alkalinity. Cyanide-free approaches, particularly those integrating sodium sulfide with amine collectors, improve ecological performance in molybdenum-bismuth circuits, though costs remain significant. Low-temperature roasting (200-300 °C) combined with optimized reagent regimes enhances separation by modifying mineral surfaces without over-oxidizing molybdenite. For cases where flotation fails, gravity concentration or hydrometallurgical processing is applied. The study highlights that effective bismuth recovery from complex ores requires tailored flowsheets integrating mineralogical assessment, controlled reagent management, and, where necessary, hybrid flotation-hydrometallurgical methods to balance selectivity, recovery, and environmental considerations.