Magnetic separation of pentlandite from serpentine by selective magnetic coating

In this study, pentlandite was selectively separated from serpentine using magnetic coating technology by adjusting and optimizing pH, stirring speeds, magnetic field intensities, and dosages of sodium hexametaphosphate(SHMP) and sodium oleate(SO). A magnetic concentrate with Ni grade of 20.8% and Ni recovery of 80.5% was attained under the optimized operating conditions. Considering the above, the adsorption behaviors of SHMP and SO and the surface properties of minerals after the magnetic coating were studied by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction(XRD), and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The results show that magnetite was preferentially coated on the pentlandite surfaces and sparingly coated on the serpentine surfaces in the presence of SHMP and SO. Furthermore, calculations by Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek(DLVO) theory indicate that the preferential adsorption of magnetite on the pentlandite surfaces is due to the presence of a hydrophobic interaction between the magnetite and pentlandite, which is much stronger than the interaction between magnetite and serpentine.

Mineralogical characterization and comprehensive utilization of micro-fine tantalum–niobium ores from Songzi

The mineralogical characteristics of tantalumniobium ores from Songzi were investigated using mineral liberation analyzer （MLA） and chemical analysis. In particular, the chemical composition, phase composition, particle size, and dissemination characteristics of the ores were studied in detail. Results show that Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 have grades of 0.013 % and 0.011%, respectively. The main valuable minerals in the ores are tantalite, col- umbite, tantalum-niobite, and microlite, and the gangue minerals associated with tantalum-niobium minerals mainly include quartz, kaolinite, illite, feldspar, and mica among others. The minerals are embedded in a complex manner. Tantalum-niobium minerals with most particle sizes of -0.040 mm are disseminated in minerals, such as mica, illite, quartz, and partially intergrown with topaz and zircon, where they could not be easily liberated. Thus, the ores are classified as low-grade, micro-fine, and refractory tantalum-niobium ores. Based on this consideration, the process of classification-gravity concentration-magnetic separation-middlings regrinding and gravity concentration are finally determined and satisfactory indices are obtained. Two rough concentrates are produced： Concentrate I has Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 grades of 7.0292 % and 3.546 %, respectively, as well as recovery of 49.42 % and 35.46 %. By comparison, Concentrate Ⅱ has Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 grades of 7.0292 % and 3.546 %, respectively, as well as recovery of 49.42 % and 35.46 %.