Suitability evaluation for land reclamation in mining area:A case study of Gaoqiao bauxite mine

Suitability evaluation plays an important role in land reclamation because the choice of evaluation methods affects the accuracy and objectivity of the suitability evaluation results. Furthermore, it influences the decision-making related to land reclamation. An improved method, which is called limit comprehensive conditions method, was developed after different suitability evaluation methods were studied. Based on this method, the reclaimed land of the Gaoqiao bauxite mining area was evaluated. The Gaoqiao mining area was divided into seven evaluation units that were evaluated respectively by selecting evaluation factors and establishing grade standards. The results show that the proposed method is more applicable and easier to handle. Moreover, its evaluation results are more scientific compared with the traditional evaluation methods. The improved method can be beneficial to the rapid monitoring and the effective management of reclaimed land in the opencast mine area.

Estimation of Land Use Changes in Tan Rai Bauxite Mine by Multi-Variants Change Vector Analysis (MCVA) on Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing Data

The Tan Rai Bauxite Project, which exploits a large bauxite mine in Lam Dong province, Vietnam has been in operation since 2012. In addition to the economic efficiency of the project, bauxite mining and processing uses a large area arable land and affect the regional environment. Remote sensing technology is increasingly widely used in many purposes in monitoring the changes of environment and resources, including land use change with high accuracy, giving managers more information to monitor the exploitation and use process of land resource. This study used a Change Vector Analysis (CVA) method of analysis on various remote sensing data sources to monitor the process of land exploitation and restoration of the Tan Rai Bauxite project. High-resolution remote sensing images were used as diverse as SPOT-5, VNREDSat-1, Google Earth from 2013 to 2019 to demonstrate the ability of the MCVA method to combine many other types of remote sensing images together. The results of fluctuation analysis were validated by 200 random points in the study area, and the accuracy of result is more than 90%. The results of land use change statistics were also compared with the annual data of Tan Rai Bauxite Factory. From this study, it can be concluded that the MCVA analysis method can quickly detect land use change areas and can combine many different image sources with a high accuracy. In addition, it also provides statistics of mining areas and restored areas, thereby assisting managers in monitoring the operation of the mine.

Reservoir characteristics and formation model of Upper Carboniferous bauxite series in eastern Ordos Basin,NW China

Through core observation,thin section identification,X-ray diffraction analysis,scanning electron microscopy,and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption and isothermal adsorption experiments,the lithology and pore characteristics of the Upper Carboniferous bauxite series in eastern Ordos Basin were analyzed to reveal the formation and evolution process of the bauxite reservoirs.A petrological nomenclature and classification scheme for bauxitic rocks based on three units(aluminum hydroxides,iron minerals and clay minerals)is proposed.It is found that bauxitic mudstone is in the form of dense massive and clastic structures,while the(clayey)bauxite is of dense massive,pisolite,oolite,porous soil and clastic structures.Both bauxitic mudstone and bauxite reservoirs develop dissolution pores,intercrystalline pores,and microfractures as the dominant gas storage space,with the porosity less than 10% and mesopores in dominance.The bauxite series in the North China Craton can be divided into five sections,i.e.,ferrilite(Shanxi-style iron ore,section A),bauxitic mudstone(section B),bauxite(section C),bauxite mudstone(debris-containing,section D)and dark mudstone-coal section(section E).The burrow/funnel filling,lenticular,layered/massive bauxite deposits occur separately in the karst platforms,gentle slopes and low-lying areas.The karst platforms and gentle slopes are conducive to surface water leaching,with strong karstification,well-developed pores,large reservoir thickness and good physical properties,but poor strata continuity.The low-lying areas have poor physical properties but relatively continuous and stable reservoirs.The gas enrichment in bauxites is jointly controlled by source rock,reservoir rock and fractures.This recognition provides geological basis for the exploration and development of natural gas in the Upper Carboniferous in the study area and similar bauxite systems.

Radiological and X-Ray Diffraction Characterization of Bauxite and Rutile Ore Contaminated Environment in Kanam and Wase Mineral Exploration Sites, Plateau State-Nigeria

Two non-destructive analytical techniques (gamma spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer) were employed in the analysis of bauxite and rutile ore and their vicinity soil and control sourced within the Kanam and Wase mineral exploration sites. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the soil samples received from bauxite and rutile mineral mining vicinities revealed high concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K compared to the control soil samples sourced 500 m away from the mineral exploration vicinities. Radiological detriments RLI, AUI, Hin and Hex unveiled values exceeding the radiation standard concentration (>1) for soil. X-ray diffraction characterization of bauxite ore revealed the interlocking minerals of Bauxite (18)%, Albite (11)%, Garnet (15)%, Illite (6)% and Muscovite (43)% in various proportions obtained within the 2θ range (9.18 to 64.4) and a peak value (intensity, cps) of 3400. Pure bauxite percentage in the ore meets metallurgical grade (15 - 25)%. X-ray diffraction of rutile ore revealed the minerals of rutile (40)%, quartz (21.4)%, ilmenite (27)% and garnet (11.8)% found within the 2θ range (27.5 to 35.6) and a peak value intensity of 31.1 - 100.0 cps also meeting the metallurgical grade of 15% - 25%. The major environmental concern associated with the mineral-sands industry is the radiation hazards, pollution of ground-water sources from heavy metals, mineral transport with heavy equipment’s, dredging operations in fragile coastal area and clearing of vegetation.

Effect of integration of mechanical ball milling and flue gas desulfurization gypsum on dealkalization of bauxite residue

The synergistic impact of mechanical ball milling and flue gas desulfurization(FGD)gypsum on the dealkalization of bauxite residue was investigated through integrated analyses of solution chemistry,mineralogy,and microtopography.The results showed a significant decrease in Na_(2)O content(>30 wt.%)of FGD gypsum-treated bauxite residue after 30 min of mechanical ball milling.Mechanical ball milling resulted in differentiation of the elemental distribution,modification of the minerals in crystalline structure,and promotion in the dissolution of alkaline minerals,thus enhancing the acid neutralization capacity of bauxite residue.5 wt.%FGD gypsum combined with 30 min mechanical ball milling was optimal for the dealkalization of bauxite residue.

Enhanced dealkalization of bauxite residue through calcium-activated desulfurization gypsum

A novel integrated approach to remove the free alkalis and stabilize solid-phase alkalinity by controlling the release of Ca from desulfurization gypsum was developed.The combination of recycled FeCl_(3)solution and EDTA activated desulfurization gypsum lowered the bauxite residue pH to 7.20.Moreover,it also improved the residual Ca state,with its contribution to the total exchangeable cations increased(68%-92%).Notably,the slow release of exchangeable Ca introduced through modified desulfurization gypsum induced a phase transition of the alkaline minerals.This treatment stabilized the dealkalization effect of bauxite residue via reducing its overall acid neutralization capacity in abating pH rebound.Hence,this approach can provide guidance for effectively utilizing desulfurization gypsum to achieve stable regulation of alkalinity in bauxite residue.

Effect of substrate amendment on alkaline minerals and aggregate stability in bauxite residue

Bauxite residue is an alkaline waste material in the process of alumina production due to its characteristics of higher salinity and alkalinity,which results in environmental issues and extremely restricts the sustainable development of alumina industries.In this work,we conduct a column experiment to study the effects of two amendments on aggregate stability and variations in alkaline minerals of bauxite residue.The two amendments are phosphogypsum(PG)and phosphogypsum and vermicompost(PVC).The dominant fraction in aggregate is 1–0.25 mm in diameter on the surface,which takes up 39.34%,39.38%,and 44.51%for CK,PG,and PVC,respectively.Additions of PG and PVC decreased pH,EC,ESP,exchangeable Na^+concentration and the percentage of alkaline minerals,and then increased exchangeable Ca^2+concentration in bauxite residue.There was significant positive correlation between pH and exchangeable Na^+concentration,the percentage of cancrinite,tricalcium aluminate and calcite;while negative correlation was found in pH value versus exchangeable Ca^2+concentration.Theses findings confirmed that additions of phosphogypsum and vermicompost have a stimulative effect on aggregate stability in bauxite residue.In particular,amendment neutralization(phosphogypsum+vermicompost)in column represents an advantage for large-scale simulation of vegetation rehabilitate in bauxite residue disposal areas.

Enrichment and separation of iron minerals in gibbsitic bauxite residue based on reductive Bayer digestion

The mineralogical characteristics of three kinds of gibbsitic high-iron bauxite and the effects of various digestion conditions on the enrichment and separation of iron minerals were investigated. The results show that adding an appropriate organic reductant such as glycerol can promote the digestion of concomitant diaspore, boehmite and alumogoethite as well as the conversion of goethite to hematite in the reductive Bayer digestion. Processing Bauxite A with A/S of 25.41 can directly produce qualified iron concentrates(TFe>56%) by the reductive Bayer digestion, and thus realize the zero red mud discharge. For Bauxite B and Bauxite C with A/S of 7.82 and 3.35, the iron recoveries of 65.13% and 79.13% can be achieved with the corresponding TFe of 52.05% and 50.16% in the iron concentrates by gravity separation, respectively, resulting in the red mud discharge reduction of ~50% or above.

Mineralogical and sink-float studies of Jajarm low-grade bauxite

Jajarm＇s bauxite deposits are mainly diasporic, and they have a low mass ratio of Al2O3/SiO2. It is necessary to increase the run-of-mine mass ratio before feeding the material to the Bayer process. Chemical analysis indicated that the low-grade bauxite sample from Jajarm contained 43.9wt% Al2O3 and 13.35wt% SiO2, resulting in a mass ratio of 3.29. According to mineralogical studies, the presence of aluminosilicate minerals such as kaolinite, illite, and quartz was the main reason for the decrease of the mass ratio. Microscopic observations revealed that, with the size reduction from -1000＋710 to -38 μm, the liberation degree of diaspore increased from 10% to 60%, and that of aluminosilicates increased from 20% to 85%. Heavy liquids with the densities of 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, and 3.4 g/cm3 were used to evaluate the heavy media separation in three sizes, i.e., -3350＋710, -710＋212, and -212＋125 μm. Laboratory studies confirm that the density of 3.2 g/cm3 can produce the concentrates （in sunk fractions） with recoveries of 89.09%, 91.24%, and 84.68% with the Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratios of 5.03, 5.16, and 5.15 for the -3350＋710, -710＋212, and -212＋ 125 μ m sizes, respectively.

Application of suspension magnetization roasting as technology for high-efficiency separation of valuable iron minerals from high-iron bauxite

A technology for suspension magnetization roasting−magnetic separation was proposed to separate iron minerals for recovery.The optimum parameters were as follows:a roasting temperature of 650℃,a roasting time of 20 min,a CO concentration of 20%,and particles with a size less than 37μm accounting for 67.14%of the roasted product.The total iron content and iron recovery of the magnetic concentrate were 56.71%and 90.50%,respectively.The phase transformation,magnetic transition,and microstructure evolution were systematically characterized through iron chemical phase analysis,X-ray diffraction,vibrating sample magnetometry,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,and transmission electron microscopy.The results demonstrated the transformation of hematite to magnetite,with the iron content in magnetite increasing from 0.41%in the raw ore to 91.47%in the roasted product.

Suspension calcination and alkali leaching of low-grade high-sulfur bauxite:Desulfurization, mineralogical evolution and desilication

To enable the utilization of low-grade and high-sulfur bauxite, the suspension calcination was used to remove the sulfur and the activate silica minerals, and the calcinated bauxite was subjected to a desilication process in Na OH solution under atmospheric pressure. The desulfurization and desilication properties and mineralogical evolution were studied by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and FactSage methods. The results demonstrate that the suspension calcination method is efficient for sulfur removal: 84.21% of S was removed after calcination at 1000°C for 2 min. During the calcination process, diaspore and pyrite were transferred to α-Al2O3, magnetite, and hematite. The phase transformation of pyrite follows the order FeS2 → Fe3O4 → Fe2O3, and the iron oxides and silica were converted into iron silicate. In the alkali-soluble desilication process, the optimum condition was an alkali solution concentration of 110 g/L, a reaction time of 20 min, and a reaction temperature of 95°C. The corresponding desilication ratio and alumina loss ratio were 44.9% and 2.4%, respectively, and the alumina-to-silica mass ratio of the concentrate was 7.9. The Al2O3·2SiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3 formed during the calcination process could react with Na OH solution, and their activity decreased in the order of Al2O3·2 SiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3.

Effects of minerals in ferric bauxite on sodium carbonate decomposition and volatilization

Direct reduction is an emerging technology for ferric bauxite utilization. However, because of sodium volatilization, its sodium carbonate consumption is considerably higher than that in ordinary bauxite processing technology. TG-DSC and XRD were applied to detecting phase transformation and mass loss in direct reduction to reveal the mechanism on sodium volatilization. The results show that the most significant influence factor of ferric bauxite on sodium volatilization in direct reduction system is its iron content. Sodium volatilization is probably ascribed to the instability of amorphous substances structure. Amorphous substances are the intermediate-products of the reaction, and the volatilization rate of sodium increases with its generating rate. These amorphous substances are volatile, thus, more sodium is volatilized with its generation. A small amount of amorphous substances are generated in the reaction between Na2CO3 and Al2O3; thus, only 3.15% of sodium is volatilized. Similarly, the volatilization rate is 1.87% in the reaction between Na2CO3 and SiO2. However, the volatilization rate reaches 7.64% in the reaction between Na2CO3 and Fe2O3 because of the generation of a large amount of amorphous substances.

Minerals of Bauxites and Residues: Problems of Processing and Enrichment (Russia)

The complex of mineralogical methods was developed to obtain reliable data about mineral composition of bauxites and new crystal-chemical information (the whole cycle of used chemical elements, methods of residue utilization, position of residue tails in dump pits). Natural and technogenic structures were studied as sources of necessary chemical elements and useful properties.

Physicochemical Characterisation for Potential Uses as Industrial Mineral of Bauxite from Débélé, Guinea

Assessing the potential uses as industrial mineral, bauxite from Débélé, Guinea, has been characterised by chemical and mineralogical analyses, the determination of the amorphous content, the rate of portlandite consumption in an aqueous solution, the strength activity index, and the thermal behaviour up to 1200°C. It was evidenced that the raw sample is gibbsite-rich type bauxite with about 45.06 wt% of alumina, 23.80 wt% of iron oxide, and 1.74 wt% of silica. It meets the chemical composition required for bauxites used for refractory cement. During heating, the raw bauxite undergoes high densification with low linear shrinkage, motivating a potential use in dense ceramic compositions with high thermal stability. Also, the heating at only 600°C gives a significant pozzolanic activity in combination with Portland cement. The correlation between the pozzolanicity, the amorphous phase content, and the specific surface area indicated that the raw and the calcined materials present an interesting reactivity for using them in alternative cement formulations.

CPI Seeking to Break International Monopoly over Bauxite Mine Resources through an Overseas Arrangement

China Power Investment Group(CPI),one of the five power generation groups in China signed an Aluminum Development Project Concession Agreement with the government of Guinea on Sep.6,symbolizing a substantial step in developing its Guinean aluminum base

West Inner Mongolia Coalfield to be the Largest Bauxite Mine in China

With the acceleration of industrialization of extraction of alumina from high aluminum fly ash technology, the West Inner Mongolia coalfield is expected to become the largest bauxite mine with the largest aluminum reserves in China.

Extra large bauxite mines with 120 million tons discovered in Guangxi Congzuo

According to Guangxi General Institute of Geological Prospecting,after 3 years of hard work,prospecting team has discovered extra large bauxite mines with resources of 120 mil- lion tons in Youjiang area in Guangxi. It is said that the newly-found extra large baux- ite mines are situated in the city of Congzuo. The ore belt lays generally northeast with

Guangxi Huaying Bauxite Mine Put Into Production Upon Completion

On July 26,Guangxi Huaying bauxite mine was put into production upon its completion. With supportive function,the mine facilitates the 1.6-million-ton/year alumina project of Guangxi Huaying with annual capacity of 4 million tons of ores.The open-pit

Petrological and Statistical Studies of the Limbiko Bauxite Deposit, Republic of Guinea

The increasing demand for Aluminium pushes the miners to multiply the research in order to answer this demand. The objective of this work is to characterize the bauxitic deposit of Limbiko. The methodology consists in collecting samples, and establishing stratigraphic logs, sections and geological maps. The analyses were carried out in the laboratory of the Company des Bauxites de Guinea. Statistical methods were used to process the geochemical data. The study area is characterized by sedimentary formations of the Devonian, in which the dolerites of the Mesozoic were injected. It is on these Devonian and Mesozoic formations that the Limbiko bauxite deposit was developed. The stratigraphic logs show the succession of formations. The parent rock is surmounted by an alteration crust. The petrographic study is based on the bauxitic and transitional zones characterized by ferruginous laterites. Both zones contain some ferriplantite. Mineralogical analysis shows the presence of gibbsite, goethite, alumogoethite, rutile and clay minerals. The geochemical study of the major elements shows that the more the contents of SiO2, Fe2O3 decrease, the more the content of Al2O3 increases and those of TiO2, Al2O3 increase in the same direction. The PCA confirms the mineralogical results by classifying the samples into clay, bauxite and ferrite.

Petrographic and Geochemical Characterization of Mayedo and Kinzoki Ranges (Sumbi Bauxite Region, Kongo Central/DR Congo)

The bauxitic region of Sumbi and its surroundings in Central Kongo (DR Congo) is located in an area corresponding to “bands” of basic rocks made up of microdolerites, basalts and andesites. The problem of this study is linked to the similarity of the phenomena that generated the depositional process of these ferruginous and aluminous formations. The aim of this article is to carry out a chemical and petrographic study of samples of bauxitic materials from the Mayedo and Kinzoki regions, with a view to their possible recovery. To this end, the chemical and petrographic analysis of the weathering formations outcropping in the study area was carried out using X-ray fluorescence and thin section methods. The latter revealed that two lithologies were detected in the healthy rocks: basalts with a mineralogical assemblage of plagioclase crystals, pyroxene microcrystals and oxide opaques;and dolerites represented by plagioclase crystals, pyroxenes and a few quartz crystals. X-ray fluorescence revealed high levels of Al2O3 (32.69%) in the Mayedo zone (MHb1). This visibly gibbsite-rich level corresponds to the zone of friable, homogeneous bauxite with a massive, blood-red texture, with an estimated gibbsite percentage of 55.50. The percentage of Fe2O3 is high in these zones at 42.77%, hence the dark red colour, reflecting a strong zone of ferruginasation. This horizon contains a high concentration of hematite and goethite minerals. Highly variable SiO2 contents ranging from 13.48% to 40.82%. These variations are essentially due to the dissolution of silica by leaching and resilification.