Electrochemical behavior of galena in the presence of calcium and sulfate ions

A study of the electrochemical behavior of galena and the effect of the Ca2+ and SO42− species on the mineral behavior at different pH, was carried out using carbon paste electrodes. The Ca2+ and SO42− ions were used to simulate the species that are most concentrated in the recycled water of sulfide mineral flotation processes. By means of electrochemical and SEM analysis, it was possible to identify the chemical species that are generated on the mineral surface by means of redox reactions. In the same way, it was observed that depending on the pH, Ca2+ and CaOH+ species interact with the oxidized species of galena. Furthermore, at acidic pH, sulfate reacts with lead ions to form a passivating layer on the surface of the mineral, while at alkaline pH more than one species is generated on the mineral, which passivate its surface.