Comparison of Pb-Zn selective collectors using statistical methods

A statistical approach has been adopted to evaluate the Pb-Zn selectivity o f various organic collectors of the mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and aminoth iophenol (ATP) types, in the flotation of lead and zinc minerals. Six repli cated tests were performed using each collector in order to obtain an estim ate of a statistical population characterized by an average and a variance. Comparison of these statistical populations indicated the most selective c ollectors. The selectivity exhibited by the collectors was then related to their molecular structure. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.