Recovery of chalcopyrite from galena using ellagic acid as a lead-selective and environmentally friendly inhibitor: Experimental and mechanistic insights

• Ellagic acid selectively depresses galena while leaving chalcopyrite highly floatable, achieving a Cu recovery of 95.67% with minimal Pb contamination. • The separation mechanism involves deprotonated phenolic hydroxyl groups of EA binding to Pb sites on galena, increasing hydrophilicity and blocking xanthate adsorption. • EA is an environmentally friendly alternative to toxic inorganic depressants such as dichromate, with strong potential for industrial Cu–Pb separation. • These findings provide mechanistic insights and practical conditions for improving safety and economic efficiency in copper smelting processes.