Basic characteristics of Australian iron ore concentrate and its effects on sinter properties during the high-limonite sintering process

The basic characteristics of Australian iron ore concentrate (Ore-A) and its effects on sinter properties during a high-limonite sintering process were studied using micro-sinter and sinter pot methods. The results show that the Ore-A exhibits good granulation properties, strong liquid flow capability, high bonding phase strength and crystal strength, but poor assimilability. With increasing Ore-A ratio, the tumbler index and the reduction index (RI) of the sinter first increase and then decrease, whereas the softening interval (Delta T) and the softening start temperature (T (10%)) of the sinter exhibit the opposite behavior; the reduction degradation index (RDI+3.15) of the sinter increases linearly, but the sinter yield exhibits no obvious effects. With increasing Ore-A ratio, the distribution and crystallization of the minerals are improved, the main bonding phase first changes from silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) to kirschsteinite, silicate, and SFCA and then transforms to 2CaO center dot SiO2 and SFCA. Given the utilization of Ore-A and the improvement of the sinter properties, the Ore-A ratio in the high-limonite sintering process is suggested to be controlled at approximately 6wt%.

Interaction mechanism between carboxylmethyl cellulose and iron ore concentrates in iron ore agglomeration

Carboxylmethyl cellulose(CMC) has become a commercial organic binder in agglomeration of iron ore concentrates. The relative molecular mass and degree of substitution(DS) of CMC have a large impact on its binding performance. The interaction mechanism between CMC and iron ore particles was analyzed through Zeta potential measurements, adsorption measurements and infrared spectra. The results show that the interaction is chemical adsorption-oriented and the CMC's adsorption performance is related to the properties of CMC as well as the type of iron oxides. CMC has a greater affinity to Fe2O3 than Fe3O4, and CMC with higher relative molecular mass shows a higher adsorption isotherm. Pelletization of practical iron ore concentrates added with CMC further illustrates that CMC with higher relative molecular mass or DS exhibits a better binding performance, which is consistent with the results of adsorption tests.

Central composite design for optimization and formulation of desulphurization of iron ore concentrate using atmospheric leaching process

Owing to the negative effects of sulphur in iron ore on steelmaking process and environment, a tank leaching process was performed in atmospheric conditions to remove the sulphur from the iron ore concentrate and simultaneously to transform sulphide minerals into useful by-products. To achieve desirable sulphur removal rate and efficiency, central composite design was adopted as a response surface methodology for the optimization and evaluation of the process. A full-quadratic polynomial equation between the sulphur removal and the studied parameters was established to assess the behaviour of sulphur removal as a function of the factors and to predict the results in various conditions. The optimum conditions were obtained based on the variance tests and response surface plots, from which the optimized ranges for each factor resulting in the best response （corresponding to the highest percentage of desulphurization） could be then achieved. The results show that most desirable conditions are atmospheric leaching in 1.39 mol/dm3 nitric acid and 0.88 mol/dm3 sulphuric acid for 47 h. The designed process under the optimized desulphurization conditions was applied to a real iron ore concentrate. More than 75% of the total sulphur was removed via the leaching process. In addition to the desulphurization, the conversion of sulphide-bearing minerals into useful by-products, extraction of valuable metals, and executing the process under atmospheric conditions are the other advantages of the proposed method.

Niobium and phosphorus behavior during melting-separation process of pre-reduced niobium ore concentrate

The pre-reduced Bayan Obo ferroniobium（FeNb）ore concentrate block was taken as raw materials for studying the physical properties of niobium-enriched slag and changes in niobium recovery rate.In addition,the dephosphorization rate of the slag under different melting-separation conditions was investigated using the melting-separation test.The research results demonstrate that（i）the niobium recovery rate and dephosphorization rate of the slag decrease with the increase in melting-separation temperature;（ii）the niobium recovery rate of the slag initially increases and then decreases with increase in basicity and time;and（iii）the dephosphorization rate of the slag increases with the increase in basicity and time.When the test was performed under the conditions of basicity of 0.6-0.7,time of 7-10min,and temperature of 1400-1450°C,the niobium recovery rate and dephosphorization rate are over 96%and 95%,respectively.By scanning electron microscopy,it is observed that niobium mainly exists in the form of calcium and titanium silicate within the slag phase,with uneven distribution.

Influence of Mechanical Activation on Acid Leaching Dephosphorization of High-phosphorus Iron Ore Concentrates

High pressure roll grinding（HPRG）and ball milling were compared to investigate the influence of mechanical activation on the acid leaching dephosphorization of a high-phosphorus iron ore concentrate,which was manufactured through magnetizing roasting-magnetic separation of high-phosphorus oolitic iron ores.The results indicated that when high-phosphorus iron ore concentrates containing 54.92 mass% iron and 0.76 mass% phosphorus were directly processed through acid leaching,iron ore concentrates containing 55.74mass%iron and 0.33mass%phosphorus with an iron recovery of 84.64%and dephosphorization of 63.79% were obtained.When high-phosphorus iron ore concentrates activated by ball milling were processed by acid leaching,iron ore concentrates containing56.03mass%iron and 0.21mass% phosphorus with an iron recovery of 85.65% and dephosphorization of 77.49%were obtained.Meanwhile,when high-phosphorus iron ore concentrates activated by HPRG were processed by acid leaching,iron ore concentrates containing 58.02mass%iron and 0.10mass% phosphorus were obtained,with the iron recovery reaching 88.42% and the dephosphorization rate reaching 88.99%.Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ball milling can reduce the particle size,demonstrating aprominent reunion phenomenon.In contrast,HPRG pretreatment contributes to the formation of more cracks within the particles and selective dissociation of iron and P bearing minerals,which can provide the favorable kinetic conditions to accelerate the solid-liquid reaction rate.As such,the crystal structure is destroyed and the surface energy of mineral particles is strengthened by mechanical activation,further strengthening the dephosphorization.

Geological Characteristics of Epithermal Ore Concentrated Areas and Epithermal Ore Deposits in China

The epithermal ore concentrated area is located in Southwestern China. We systematically study the regional geological characteristics such as the basement of Proterozoic, the capping bed, Moho, geothermal feature and tectonics, and discuss the relationship between distributed characteristics of the epithermal ore deposits and ore control factors in this paper. It is concluded that the conditions, under which the epithermal ore deposits form, are huge thick basement of Proterozoic, long time and wide scope developed capping bed and weak magmatic activity. The basement of Proterozoic that enriches volcanic matters and carbon and the carbonaceous bearing and paleo pool bearing capping bed provides main ore source. The large and deep faults and paleopool accordance with gravity anomaly gradient control the distribution of epithermal ore deposits. The lithologic assembles of microclastic rocks and carbonate rocks in the capping bed provide spaces of ore precipitation and create conditions of ore precipitation. The coincidence of many geological factors above forms the epithermal ore concentrated area.

Development of carbon composite iron ore micropellets by using the microfines of iron ore and carbon-bearing materials in iron making

Iron ore microfines and concentrate have very limited uses in sintering processes. They are used in pelletization; however, this process is cost intensive. Furthermore, the microfines of non-coking coal and other carbon-bearing materials, e.g., blast-furnace flue dust （BFD） and coke frees, are not used extensively in the metallurgical industry because of operational difficu]ties and handling problems. In the present work, to utilize these microfines, coal composite iron oxide micropellets （2-6 mm in size） were produced through an innovative technique in which lime and molasses were used as binding materials in the micropellets. The micropellets were subsequently treated with CO2 or the industrial waste gas to induce the chemical bond formation. The results show that, at a very high carbon level of 22wt% （38wt% coal）, the cold crushing strength and abrasion index of the micropellets are 2.5-3 kg/cm2 and 5wt%-9wt%, respectively; these values indicate that the pellets are suitable for cold handling. The developed micropellets have strong potential as a heat source in smelting reduction in iron making and sintering to reduce coke breeze. The micropellets produced with BFD and coke fines （8wt%-12wt%） were used in iron ore sin- tering and were observed to reduce the coke breeze consumption by 3%-4%. The quality of the produced sinter was at par with that of the conventional blast-furnace sinter.

A novel approach to enhance decrepitation temperature and reducibility of ultrafine iron ore concentrate pellets

Utilizing ultrafine iron ore concentrate for pellet production can expand domestic iron ore resources in China and promote the utilization of low-grade ores.However,a challenge arises with the low decrepitation temperature and reducibility in the preparation process of ultrafine iron ore concentrate pellets.To address the challenge,a novel approach was proposed,which incorporated straw powder as an additive to enhance pellet porosity,thereby improving the decrepitation temper-ature and reducibility of ultrafine iron ore concentrate pellets.The effect of varying proportions of straw powder(0.0-2.0%)on the characteristics of ultrafine iron ore concentrate pellets was examined.Results indicate that at a 2.0%straw powder ratio,pellet decrepitation temperature notably rises from 380 to 540℃,while the reducibility index escalates from 25.7%to 48.1%.Nevertheless,the addition of straw powder results in diminished drop strength,compressive strength of green pellets,and cold crushing strength of fired pellets.In addition,enhanced pellet reducibility leads to exacerbated reduction swelling index and reduction degradation index.Despite these effects,all parameters remain within an acceptable range.

Metallogeny of the Baiyangping Lead-Zinc Polymetallic Ore Concentration Area, Northern Lanping Basin of Yunnan Province, China

The Lanping Basin in the Nujiang-Lancangjiang-Jinshajiang （the Sanjiang） area of northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is an important part of eastern Tethyan metallogenic domain. This basin hosts a number of large unique sediment-hosted Pb-Zn polymetallic deposits or ore districts, such as the Baiyangping ore concentration area which is one of the representative ore district. The Baiyangping ore concentration area can be divided into the east and west ore belts, which were formed in a folded tectogene of the India-Asia continental coUisional setting and was controlled by a large reverse fault. Field observations reveal that the Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary strata were outcropped in the mining area, and that the orebodies are obviously controlled by faults and hosted in sandstone and carbonate rocks. However, the oreforming elements in the east ore belt are mainly Pb-Zn -Sr-Ag, while Pb-Zn-Ag-Cu-Co elements are dominant in the west ore belt. Comparative analysis of the C-O-Sr-S-Pb isotopic compositions suggest that both ore belts had a homogeneous carbon source, and the carbon in hydrothermal calcite is derived from the dissolution of carbonate rock strata; the ore- forming fluids were originated from formation water and precipitate water, which belonged to basin brine fluid system; sulfur was from organic thermal chemical sulfate reduction and biological sulfate reduction; the metal mineralization material was from sedimentary strata and basement, but the difference of the material source of the basement and the strata and the superimposed mineralization of the west ore belt resulted in the difference of metallogenic elements between the eastern and western metallogenic belts. The Pb-Zn mineralization age of both ore belts was contemporary and formed in the same metaliogenetic event. Both thrust formed at the same time and occurred at the Early Oligocene, which is consistent with the age constrained by field geological relationship.

A New Potential Caledonian–Indosinian Ore Concentration Area:Evidence from Diagenesis and Mineralization Ages of the Miao'ershan–Yuechengling Region

Objective The Miao＇ershan-Yuechengling composite granite, located in northern Guangxi at the western section of the Nanling Range, is a multi-period and multi-stage composite pluton with an exposed area of more than 3000 km2 （Fig. 1）. Paleozoic and Proterozoic strata are exposed around it, and magmatic activities mainly occurred during the Caledonian and Indosinian periods. Till now, more than one hundred W-Sn-Mo-Pb-Zn-Cu （U） deposits and ore occurrences have been discovered along the inner and outer contact zones of this granite. Through recent years＇ research, we infer that this area is not only a preferred area for studying granite and mineralization in Caledonian and lndosinian periods, but also a potential Caledonian- lndosinian ore-concentrated area.

Magmatic Evolution and Mineralization of Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits in the Duolong Ore Concentration Area, Tibet

The Bangong Lake-Nujiang River metallogenic belt is located between the Qiangtang Block and Lhasa Block, and the Duolong ore concentration area is located in the western section of the Bangong Lake-Nujiang River metallogenic belt. Till now, several large and super large copper-gold deposits, such as Duobuza, Bolong, Dibaonamugang, Naruo and Rongna deposits have been discovered in this area, mainly porphyry copper-gold ones.

Quantitative Prediction of Concentrated Regions of Large and Superlarge Deposits in China

Identification and quantitative prediction of large and superlarge mineral deposits of solid mineral resources using the mineral resource prediction theory and method with comprehensive information is carried out nationwide in China at a scale of 1∶5 000 000. Using deposit concentrated regions as the model units and concentrated mineralization anomaly regions as prediction units, the prediction is performed on GIS platform. The technical route and research method of locating large and superlarge mineral deposits and principle of compiling attribute table of independent variables and functional variables are proposed. Upon methodology study, the qualitative locating and quantitative predicting mineral deposits are carried out with quantitative theory Ⅲ and characteristic analysis, respectively, and the advantage and disadvantage of two methods are discussed. This research is significant for mineral resource prediction in ten provinces of western China.

Development and Testing of a Method to Estimate the Mineral Composition of Ore from Chemical Assays with a View toward Geometallurgy: Application to an Iron Ore Concentrator

For complex orebodies in which the valuable metal is carried by several minerals that respond differently to the concentration process, an ore block model should not be characterized solely with elemental assays, as this information is not sufficient to anticipate the mill performances. Data from an iron ore concentrator is used to demonstrate the idea. A method is then proposed to estimate the mineral contents of ore samples from elemental assays. The method can readily be extended to combine the estimation of the mineral contents in the feed of the mill with an estimation of the recovery of these minerals into the products of the concentrator. These mineral recoveries can subsequently be incorporated into a block model to predict the concentrator response to the processing of an ore block.

Research on Microwave Heating-Direct Steelmaking in Electric Furnace

Self-fluxing iron ore concentrates containing coal have good microwave Absorbability. With the voluminal heating property of microwave, the concentrates can be reduced uniformly and swiftly. The metallized semi-product can be directly charged into electric furnace for making clean steel. The total consumed energy of overall route is about 20 98 GJ.

Deep Structural Framework and Genetic Analysis of Gold Concentration Areas in the Northwestern Jiaodong Peninsula, China： A New Understanding based on High-Resolution Reflective Seismic Survey

The gold concentration areas in the northwestern Jiaodong Peninsula constituted an important gold metallogenetic region in Eastern China during the Mesozoic. The deep geological bodies＇ texture characteristic is important for exploring the resources thoroughly and understanding the metallogenic process. The detailed textures were revealed using high-resolution seismic profiles through the three major ore-controlling structures-Sanshandao fault zone, Jiaojia fault zone and Zhaoping fault zone. This study aims to establish a deep structural framework of this area. Based on their formation mechanism, the fault structures developed in the area can be divided into regional and local fault structures. The structural styles are characterised by superimposing their compressional, strike-slip and extensional multi-stage activities. The crust is cut by vertical structures corresponding to a left-lateral strike-slip fault system on the surface. Nearby these structures are the arc-shape structures formed by multi-stage magma intrusions into the upper crust. Bounded by the Tancheng–Lujiang and Muping–Jimo fault zones, the current Jiaodong block, developed a series of NE-trending strike-slip fault systems, was probably formed by the assemblage of several obliquely aligned blocks. The intensive magmatism and hydrothermal activity between the blocks induced large-scale mineralisation. It provides a new angle of view for understanding the cratonic destruction and large ore-concentration formed during the Mesozoic.

Optimal bandwidth selection for retrieving Cu content in rock based on hyperspectral remote sensing

Hyperspectral remote sensing technology is widely used to detect element contents because of its multiple bands,high resolution,and abundant information.Although researchers have paid considerable attention to selecting the optimal bandwidth for the hyperspectral inversion of metal element contents in rocks,the influence of bandwidth on the inversion accuracy are ignored.In this study,we collected 258 rock samples in and near the Kalatage polymetallic ore concentration area in the southwestern part of Hami City,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China and measured the ground spectra of these samples.The original spectra were resampled with different bandwidths.A Partial Least Squares Regression(PLSR)model was used to invert Cu contents of rock samples and then the influence of different bandwidths on Cu content inversion accuracy was explored.According to the results,the PLSR model obtains the highest Cu content inversion accuracy at a bandwidth of 35 nm,with the model determination coefficient(R^(2))of 0.5907.The PLSR inversion accuracy is relatively unaffected by the bandwidth within 5-80 nm,but the accuracy decreases significantly at 85 nm bandwidth(R^(2)=0.5473),and the accuracy gradually decreased at bandwidths beyond 85 nm.Hence,bandwidth has a certain impact on the inversion accuracy of Cu content in rocks using the PLSR model.This study provides an indicator argument and theoretical basis for the future design of hyperspectral sensors for rock geochemistry.