LAUSR

Abstract A mechanochemical leaching process by ball milling Zn and Pb carbonate minerals in the aqueous solution containing Pb chloride or Pb nitrate was proposed for the separation of smithsonite and cerussite. XRD analyses revealed the formation of Pb2(CO3)Cl2 and PbCO3, respectively, in the residues by the mechanochemical reaction of smithsonite with the Pb chloride and Pb nitrate solution. These results show that smithsonite could be selectively dissolved in the aqueous solution containing Pb chloride and Pb nitrate with obtained smithsonite dissolution efficiency of 92.7% and 99.6%, respectively. This study provides a novel and simple hydrometallurgical process for the separation of smithsonite and cerussite, exhibiting a high-efficiency feature over the traditional flotation separation process and acidic leaching process.