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Year 2026
 
Vol 67, Issue 3, [06 - 2026]

Optimization of reagent conditions for flotation of oxidized zinc ore from the Cho Dien deposit using the RSM-BBD approach

DOI:10.46326/JMES.2026.67(3).05

  • Affiliations:

    1 PhD Student at Mining Faculty, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Hanoi, Vietnam
    2 Mining Faculty, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Hanoi, Vietnam
    3 MinPro Research Group, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Hanoi, Vietnam

  • *Corresponding:
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Received: 29th-Nov-2025
  • Revised: 25th-Mar-2026
  • Accepted: 14th-Apr-2026
  • Online: 1st-June-2026
Pages: 54 - 65
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Abstract:

The Cho Dien zinc oxide ore, composed mainly of hemimorphite and smithsonite, exhibits poor floatability due to its highly oxidized surface and the presence of iron oxyhydroxides. In this study, the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) combined with a Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to optimize the interactive effects of three reagents (Tan-XS, Sep-X, and Na₂S) on the flotation performance of zinc oxide ore. Experiments were conducted using a 3-L mechanical flotation cell, with a constant collector dosage (fatty acid + kerosene = 4:1, 800 g/t) and without frother addition. Quadratic regression models were developed for Zn grade and Zn recovery, both exhibiting coefficients of determination (R² > 0.95), indicating excellent agreement between predicted and experimental data. The models were expressed in parabolic form to identify the response maxima. Multi-objective optimization based on the composite desirability function (equal weighting) identified the optimum reagent dosages as approximately 510 g/t Tan-XS, 495 g/t Sep-X, and 10,200 g/t Na₂S, from which a flotation concentrate was obtained containing about 30.5% Zn and achieving an overall zinc recovery of approximately 79%, with a prediction error of less than 5%. The established RSM-BBD models demonstrate reliable predictive capability and can serve as a powerful tool for designing and optimizing flotation processes of refractory zinc oxide ores in Vietnam.

How to Cite
Do, Q.Nhu Thi, ., L.Van Pham and ., H.Viet Le 2026. Optimization of reagent conditions for flotation of oxidized zinc ore from the Cho Dien deposit using the RSM-BBD approach (in Vietnamese). Journal of Mining and Earth Sciences. 67, 3 (Jun, 2026), 54-65. DOI:https://doi.org/10.46326/JMES.2026.67(3).05.
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