Depletion of existing orebodies forces the mining industry to have a better understanding on new orebodies in order to have an economical beneficiation. Therefore, traditional evaluation and forecasting methods are now being supported by more detailed studies using more advanced techniques. Mineralogical studies give essential data on the deposit but methods applied are expensive and very time consuming. Geometallurgical characterization techniques provide cheaperand faster outcomes and if properly applied also information which directly evaluates theprocessing properties of the samples. However, generally accepted geometallurgicalcharacterization techniques are available only for few mineral processing areas. Importantly, forfloatation such a technique does not exist. In this study, recently discovered Zinkgruvan lead-zinc orebodies were investigated majorly by automated mineralogy and laboratory batch flotation tests in order to characterize the ore type of Zinkgruvan and forecast the future production.Mineralogical studies showed that, recently found orebodies shows similarity in mineral liberation compared to the ores currently in production. However, significant differences exist in modal mineralogy and zinc and iron content of sphalerite.A series of batch flotation test were used to evaluate the behavior of main ore minerals: sphalerite and galena. Obtained data was used to create floatability component models that were further applied in simulation by HSC Chemistry 7.1 to give forecast of grades and recoveries in full scale production. According to simulations three new orebodies will have recovery and concentrate quality challenges in the current plant flowsheet and chemical regime. These challenges are related to pooractivation of sphalerite which is most probably due to higher Fe mineral content of new orebodiescompared to currently processed Reference ore. A geometallurgical characterization technique for Zinkgruvan type lead-zinc ore deposits was developed. The test enables characterization of any new ore type fast and with low costs. The test can measure in a case of low zinc recovery if the problem is due to collector deficiency, flotation residence time, degree of liberation, poor activation of sphalerite or presence of zinc oxide mineralssuch as gahnite.