eoretical enrichment of associated metals in the sulphides of the Strizhkovsky deposit (Russia)

Abstract

The research presents data related to the Strizhkovsky volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, which is located in the Rudny Altai region, southern Russia. In the present study, samples of polymetallic ores and rocks previously collected were taken as reference. From ten polished sheets of ores, an analysis was carried out with a petrographic microscope and with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and incorporated with an X-ray electron microprobe. Based on these results, the content (% by weight) of minors associated elements was determined such as Ag, Cd, Bi, Ga, Ge and their theoretical enrichment in basic sulfides (galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and pyrite) was calculated.
The results show that the theoretical enrichment, considering the sum of the two sulfides with the highest content, for silver (94.83%), bismuth (91.06%), gallium (72.3%) and germanium (75%) is associated with galena and sphalerite, for cadmium (91%) with sphalerite and less galena. The question of attributing Ga and Ge to the mineral components must be adjusted after calculating their reserves in the ore. The data of the theoretical enrichment and the distribution of the content of associated valuable components in the polymetallic ores represent a tool to predict the quality of the different metallurgical concentrates; and in turn to be able to modify the parameters of the metallurgical treatments of lead-zinc ores.