Commissioned in 1973, the plant has undergone continuous modernization and expansion over the years through process optimization, equipment upgrades, and the implementation of advanced flotation technologies. Today, the processing facility has a capacity of approximately 1,500 tonnes of ore per day. A significant portion of the plant feed is supplied from the Ahangaran Mine, while historical tailings are also reprocessed to recover valuable metals. This approach improves overall metal recovery, maximizes resource utilization, and contributes to reducing the environmental footprint of mining operations.

Advanced Flotation Technologies

Sormak Mines Company has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in mineral processing technology. The Company was the first in Iran to design, manufacture, and successfully localize a column flotation cell equipped with a self-aspirating sparger capable of generating microbubbles. This technology significantly improves the recovery of ultra-fine lead and zinc particles while enhancing overall flotation efficiency.

In addition, Sormak became the first Iranian company to design and manufacture a Jameson Cell through reverse engineering. Recognized worldwide as one of the most efficient flotation technologies, the Jameson Cell offers high processing capacity, reduced energy consumption, compact plant footprint, and superior metallurgical performance, making it particularly effective for fine-particle flotation and the recovery of valuable minerals from tailings.

Concentrate Production Process

The concentrate production process begins with the transportation of ore from Sormak's mines to the crushing plant. The ore is reduced in size using jaw crushers and cone crushers, then transferred to the grinding circuit. Grinding is performed in a closed wet circuit using ball mills and hydrocyclones until the desired particle size is achieved.

The resulting slurry is subsequently transferred to the conditioning tanks, where flotation reagents—including collectors, frothers, pH modifiers, activators, depressants, and dispersants—are added according to the mineralogical characteristics of the ore to ensure selective separation of valuable minerals.

Flotation is carried out through multiple stages comprising Rougher, Scavenger, and Cleaner circuits. The incorporation of column flotation cells and Jameson Cells enables efficient recovery of ultra-fine particles and valuable minerals remaining in the tailings. At the end of the process, tailings are thickened before disposal, while recovered process water is recycled back into the plant, reducing fresh water consumption.

Plant Capabilities

The Ahangaran Flotation Plant is equipped with complete crushing, grinding, and flotation circuits capable of processing both sulfide and oxide lead-zinc ores. The facility produces high-quality lead and zinc concentrates while also enabling the reprocessing of historical tailings to maximize metal recovery and improve resource efficiency.

Plant Highlights

• Processing capacity of approximately 1,500 tonnes of ore per day
• Production of lead and zinc concentrates from both sulfide and oxide ores
• First Iranian developer of a column flotation cell equipped with a self-aspirating microbubble sparger
• First Iranian designer and manufacturer of the Jameson Cell through reverse engineering
• Multi-stage flotation circuits including Rougher, Scavenger, and Cleaner
• Reprocessing and recovery of valuable metals from historical tailings
• Closed-loop process water recovery system to reduce water consumption
• Advanced flotation technologies for improved recovery, enhanced energy efficiency, and optimized plant performance