Stibnite froth flotation: A critical review

Antimony has a long and diverse history of applications, concerns about its future supply have emerged in recent years. Stibnite-bearing ores continue to be the main source this critical element, although sourcing from secondary resources (e.g. mine tailings) is becoming increasingly relevant yet technically challenging. In sense, froth flotation plays key role recovery stibnite both sources. view this, comprehensive review technical environmental aspects related across scales (microflotation, bench-scale industrial-scale) been carried out. One major topics reviewed reagents; while overall practice mostly conservative, relying on use xanthate collectors lead nitrate as an activator, less common (bio)reagents for varying complexity shown promising alternative. Other challenges identified literature are discussed, highlighting areas opportunities further research enhance flotation, minimise antimony losses throughout life cycle thus make more available generations.