Chemical and Instrumental Characterization of a Sulphosalt Lead Type Jamesonite

The sulfides are the main source for the production of metallic lead, galena (PbS), and the sulphosalt type jamesonite (Pb₄FeSb₆S₁₄) are the main mineralogical species present in the concentrates, however in the mill, they suffer oxidation affecting their recovery by flotation. Prior to the oxidation studies, the mineral was thoroughly characterized. The results of DRX indicate a single and majority phase identified with PDF 96-901-2801 corresponding to jamesonite. While the analysis made by SEM mappings to different sizes of particles screened in dry and washed with ultrasound, corroborated the presence of the main elements that constitute this species (Pb, Fe, Sb, S). The chemical analysis via ICP showed that lead is the major element followed by Sb, S and Fe. The infrared spectra showed the superficial decomposition of sulfur and the formation of metal sulphates.