Recovery of galena and sphalerite concentrates by froth flotation using alkaline salts of vegetable oils

Groundnut, palmkernel, sheabutter and soyabean oils with their respective sodium and potassium salts were used as possible substitutes as frothers and Xanthate collectors for recovering galena and sphalerite concentrates from the complex sulphide ores. The highest recoveries for galena, using both potassium and sodium salts of the oils were; groundnut 81.11% and 81.56%; palmkernel 79.27% and 80.32%; sheabutter 64.08% and 62.02%; and soyabean 57.40% and 55.68%. The corresponding values for sphalerite were: groundnut 80.03% and 76.44%; palmkernel 61.88% and 55.45%; sheabutter 35.14%; 29.20%; soyabean 24.51% and 20.43%. The results show that the alkali salts of groundnut and palmkernel oils are potential substitutes for the synthetic collectors and frothers.