Concentration of Germanium from a Lead-Zinc ore from Nepal

Abstract

A low grade lead-zinc ore from Nepal, containing germanium in minor amounts, was received from the Director, National Chemical Research, for production of a germanium concentrate. Initial batch tests indicated that most of the germanium was concentrated in alight coloured zinc sulphate flotation concentrate. Lead and zinc concentrates obtained during pilot plant test were not rich enough in metallic values as those obtained during batch tests due to contamination with lubricating oil from flotation machines. Germanium was found slightly concentrated in the magnetic fraction. There was a very wide discrepancy in germanium assays between the actual and calculated assays of the original sample (0.034% against 0.0016% GeO2). Though the ore was readily amenable to flotation for concentrates, it was not conclusive if there was any concentration of germanium in any of the fractions, in view of the wide discrepancy in germanium assays.