Electrochemical depression of galena aiming at selective sulfide flotation

In this article, the potential at which galena depression occurs is related to, the formation of hydrophilic compounds on its surface. Reactions are proposed based on analyses by cyclic voltammetry, thermodynamic data, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical variables, such as the redox potential, present good perspectives for selectivity in the flotation of galena and sphalerite, because in a given range of potentials, the galena surface becomes hydrophilic, as shown by measurements of the contact angle and floatability tests.