How to Choose an Antimony Extraction Method?

Antimony Ore Extraction: The extraction method for antimony ore should be selected based not only on physicochemical properties such as ore type, mineral composition, mineral structure, and intercalation characteristics, but also on the content of valuable components, compatibility with antimony metallurgical technology, and ultimate economic benefits. Antimony ore beneficiation methods include hand sorting, gravity separation, heavy medium separation, and flotation.

1. Antimony Ore Hand Sorting

The hand sorting process for antimony ore utilizes the differences in color, luster, and shape between antimony-bearing minerals and gangue in the ore. Although primitive and labor-intensive, this method holds special significance for antimony ore beneficiation. Because antimony ore often occurs as coarse, individual crystals or massive aggregates, hand sorting often yields high-grade, lump antimony concentrates that meet the technical requirements of vertical roasting furnaces in antimony metallurgical plants. Furthermore, hand sorting reduces beneficiation production costs and energy consumption, leading to its widespread use in my country.

2. Antimony Ore Gravity Separation

The gravity separation process for antimony ore is suitable for most antimony ore concentrators because antimony ore is dense and coarse, making it easy to separate from gangue by gravity separation. Among them, stibnite is an easily separable ore; yellow antimony ore, red antimony ore, and antimony ore are extremely easy to separate by density; only hydrous antimony calcium ore is difficult to separate by density. Both single antimony sulfide ore and mixed sulfide-oxidation antimony ore offer good conditions for gravity separation. Gravity separation is cost-effective and can separate a large amount of qualified coarse-grained concentrate within the coarse particle size range, while discarding a large amount of waste rock. Therefore, gravity separation remains a popular method for antimony ore concentrators. Antimony ore gravity separation equipment primarily consists of jigs, with shaking tables sometimes also used.

3. Antimony Ore Flotation

Flotation is the primary method for extracting antimony ore. Antimony sulfide ore is easily floatable, and flotation is often used to improve the ore's crystallinity. Stibnite is often activated with lead salts, sometimes with copper salts or a combination of lead and copper salts, followed by flotation with a collector. Common collectors include xanthate or a mixture of shale oil and ethyl thiocyanate, and frotherm oil or No. 2 oil as a frother. Antimony oxide ore is a difficult-to-float ore and is primarily separated using gravity separation.