Experimental modeling of antimony sulfides-rich geothermal deposits and their solubility in the presence of polymeric antiscalants

•Sb-containing sulfide and oxide deposits were artificially obtained.•Solubility of the bulk geothermal deposits is achieved in alkaline Na2S solution.•The performance of various antiscalants was investigated for the artificial deposits.•Binding energy between functional groups and the Sbn+ and S2− ions was calculated.•Sulfonic acid containing antiscalants were found to be effective.