Process mineralogy and characteristic associations of iron and phosphorus-based minerals on oolitic hematite

The chemical compositions,mineralogical characteristics,as well as dissemination of iron-and phosphorus-based minerals were studied for the E’xi oolitic hematite from western Hubei Province in China by using chemical analysis,optical microscope,electron probe micro-analyzer(EPMA)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS).It is found that this kind of oolitic hematite ore contains 47.71%TFe,10.96%SiO_2,as well as 0.874%P,with hematite as the dominant Fe-bearing minerals,and quartz,chamosite,illite and cellophane as main gangue minerals.The microscope examination showed that the ore has an oolitic structure,with some ooids principally formed by a series of concentric layers of hematite collophanite around nucleus that is hematite in the association with collophanite.Based on the EPMA and EDS analysis,it can be known that some ooids are primarily composed of hematite and collophanite.The separation can be achieved through fine grinding for those collophanite laminae with a higher P content.However,the dissemination of two minerals at the interface will result in the difficulty in effective separation.Besides,some ooids are made of chamosite with some nucleus formed of quartz,which is principally finely disseminated with hematite.In view of the close association and dissemination of iron-and phosphorus-based minerals in the ooids,it is found that the process of stage-grindings and stage-separations can be adopted to effectively increase the iron recovery and decrease the P content in the concentrate to some extent.

Process mineralogy of copper-nickel sulphide flotation by a cyclonic-static micro-bubble flotation column

In our study we investigated a refractory copper-nickel sulfide ore separation by using a cyclonic-static micro-bubble flotation column (FCSMC). The process mineralogy of the main products was studied. Using a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive system (SEM-EDS) and an X-ray spectrometer the mineral category and content of samples were analyzed. By using a mineral liberation analyzer (MLA) the mineral liberation characteristics were revealed. It is shown that in roughing feed the monomers liberation degree of nickel pyrite and chalcopyrite take up 84.11% and 88.82%, respectively. In tailings, the lost nickel pyrite and chalcopyrite are mainly monomers. Therefore, strengthening the micro-fine particle recovery capacity is the key to increase recovery.

Process mineralogy approach to optimize curing-leaching in vanadiumbearing stone coal processing plants

The purpose of this study is to apply process mineralogy as a practical tool to further understand and analyze the reasons for low leaching rates in the curing-leaching process of vanadium-bearing stone coal and to find a solution or improvement to optimize the leaching index.Using vanadium-bearing stone coal with the V2O5 mass fraction of 0.88%as the research object,the effects of particle size,mineral composition,and sulfuric acid curing on the feed,intermediate,and final products of curing-leaching were analyzed.The main vanadium-bearing minerals in the feed samples included sericite/illite,montmorillonite,kaolinite,limonite,and schreyerite.Through the penetration depth analysis of sulfuric acid,the reason for the high vanadium content in the coarse leaching residue(0.205%V2O5)was found,mainly due to the poor curing effect and incomplete washing after screening.Therefore,thorough washing after sieving and further optimizing the curing process are necessary.The vanadium content of the fine leaching residue(0.078%)was low and the curing-leaching effect was good.However,the vanadium content in the thickened residue(0.296%)exceeded that in the fine leaching residue,which was attributed to the neutralization reaction in the#1 thickener.To solve this problem,the neutralization and thickening processes should be performed in separate equipment.The analysis and detection of key products is helpful for identifying problems and improving the curing-leaching circuit process.

NEW PROGRESS IN MINERAL PROCESSING——REPORT ON FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MODERN PROCESS MINERALOGY AND MINERAL PROCESSING

The first International Conference on Modern Process Mineralogy and Mineral Processing, organized by the Nonferrous Metals Society of China and hosted by Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy,was held on September 22-25,1992,in Beijing,China.About 350 scholars and experts from 25 countries and regions showed up at the conference and 130 papers were presented,among them 98 papers are of mineral processing.Some of the papers given in mineral processing are summed up as follows.

Process mineralogy characteristics of acid leaching residue produced in low-temperature roasting-acid leaching pretreatment process of refractory gold concentrates

To provide a theoretical basis for a suitable process to extract gold from refractory gold concentrates, process mineralogy on the acid leaching residue of gold calcine was studied by chemical composition, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy spectrum, and mineral dissociation analysis. The results showed that the acid leaching residue contained Au 68.22 g/t, Ag 92.71 g/t, Fe 0.44%, As 0.10%, and S 0.55%. Gold and silver minerals existed as native gold, argentite, and proustite. Quartz, the main gangue mineral, accounted for 78.33 wt/%. The dissociation degree analysis showed that the proportions of monomer and exposed gold in acid leaching residue were 96.66 wt%. The cyanidation results showed that the cyanide gold leaching rate of acid leaching residues was close to 100 wt%. However, the maximum cyanide gold leaching rate of gold calcine was only 85.31 wt%. This suggests that acid leaching can increase the gold dissolution rate in the cyanide process.

Process Mineralogy of Lateritic Nickel Ore

This paper presents a methodology for studying low grade lateritic nickel ore, which usually presents complex mineralogy, with widespread nickel in several mineral phases. The study is focused on determining the mineralogy and the distribution of nickel in the bearing minerals. Laboratory assays comprise homogenization, sampling and particle size analysis. Chemical analyses by X-ray fluorescence are performed in all fractions sizes, while mineralogical assessments by X-ray diffraction are carried out for head sample. The mineralogical composition of the samples and the partition of main elements in the bearing minerals are assayed by size fraction through automated image analysis software (MLA) coupled to a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical compositions of the several minerals identified in MLA are determined during systematic observations on SEM with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).

Process Mineralogy of Iranian High Sulfur Iron Ore

Processing of Iranian high sulfur iron ore is problematic in minerals industry. The iron ores were studied by the means of polarizing microscopy, chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction. The study shows that the iron ores have high grade of iron, and complex structures. XRD showed that the iron ore consists of metallic minerals such as magnetite with a small amount of hematite and limonite and non-metallic minerals as serpentine, chlorite, and talc. The average particle size of magnetite crystals is 0.182 mm. The ore contains 1.62% sulfur as harmful impurity in form of pyrite mineral. Due to the isomorphism of magnesium and iron, magnetite mono crystal grade is lower than 68%, and difficult to be physically upgraded to a higher-grade iron concentrate using the available mineral processing technologies.

Bolshetagninskoe Deposit Microcline-Pyrochlore Ore Process Mineralogy

Bolshetagninskoe deposit is one of the most important Russia niobium potential sources. It is confined to carbonatite complex of the same name that is situated in the Sayan Mountains, Eastern Siberia. In the result of VIMS exploration niobium ores reserves have been applied by Russian State Reserve Committee in 2012 year. Ores contain about 1% Nb2O5 and are unique in that the economic pyrochlore mineralization is concentrated in alkaline metasomatic rocks but not in carbonatites[1]. During exploration 47 borehole samples and 6 bulk samples were collected and studied by process mineralogy techniques (optic mineralogical analyze, optic image analyzer system, XRD, EPMA). 26 borehole samples and 2 bulk samples were tested by rougher floatation to define geometallurgical items and to understand the ore’s behavior. Four volumetric samples have been tested by commissioned flowsheet (radiometric separation → impact milling → selective floatation → pyrochlore leaching → ferroniobium). There are three ore types in the Bolshetagninskoe deposit: microcline-pyrochlore (MP), biotite-columbite-pyrochlore (BCP) and carbonate-pyrochlore (CP). MP type is the most important one. MP ore consists of microcline (59wt%–70wt%) with minor carbonates, apatite, sulfides, goethite. Pyrochlore, the essential Nb mineral (94% of ore Nb content), occurs as fine grains (weighted average grain size is 57 μn). Since pyrochlore grains are fine and friable, the ore preparation size and method is a main problem of its treatment. While primary ore processing is effective to remove about 30% waste material it is important to evaluate its influence on floatation feed grade.

An Overview of Process Mineralogy of Tungsten and Its Associated Elements

China produces much tungsten metal every year. The tungsten deposits in China usually are low-grade and have complex mineralogy composition as well as many associated valuable elements. The associated elements include Sn, Mo, Bi, Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb, Be, Co, Au, Ag, Nb, Ta, Re, Sc, REE, Li, As, S, P and the nonmetallic minerals such as quartz, fluorite, feldspar, etc. Therefore, only the tungsten ore dressing is done in accordance with the ore properties based on the detailed and full process mineralogy study can the valuable elements be reasonably and fully recovered and the maximization of resource utilization as well as environment-friendly is achieved eventually. This paper summarizes the status quo of process mineralogy of tungsten and its associated elements in China, focuses on the process mineralogy studies on major tungsten ore types including tungsten-molybdenum associated ore, tungsten-tin polymetallic ore and tungsten-copper polymetallic ore, suggests the future process mineralogy research on tungsten and its associated elements.

Sol-gel法制备Al_2O_3复合膜的EPMA研究

研究采用 Sol- gel法成功地制备了一种新型的 Al2 O3- Si O2 - Ti O2 - Zr O2 复合陶瓷膜 ,其膜面平整 ,无宏观缺陷。利用电子探针微区分析 (EPMA)重点研究了膜的表面和膜与基体界面的化学成分及微观结构。并分析了修饰物添加剂对膜的形貌和性能的影响。结果表明 Ti O2 、Si O2 、Zr O2 掺杂对 Al2 O3膜起到了良好的修饰作用。

SiC－TiB_2复相陶瓷的EPMA－EDS图象分析

讨论了ＥＰＭＡ－ＥＤＳ图象分析技术在材料研究中的特点及分析方法．对ＳｉＣ－ＴｉＢ_２复相陶瓷中的ＴｉＢ２相的尺寸、周长及所占面积等几何参数进行了分析，并研究了ＴｉＢ_２相的平均直径及面积与力学性能的关系．

Process mineralogy of Weishan rare earth ore by MLA

Mineral liberation analyser(MLA) was applied to quantitatively analyze the rare earth ore from Weishan in Shandong. Mineralogy parameters, such as mineral composition, occurrence states of rare earth elements(REEs) and valuable elements, mineral embedded grain size distribution, mineral association and liberation, are obtained. Results show that the contents of REEs and other valuable elements mainly contained in the ore were La 1.02 wt%, Ce 4.29 wt%, Pr 0.34 wt%, Nd 0.84 wt%, Sr 3.4 wt%and Ba 26.53 wt%, respectively. The REEs mainly occur in bastnaesite and carbocernaite in the form of independent mineral and the contents of bastnaesite and carbocernaite in the ore were 5.96 wt% and12.30 wt%, respectively. 67.34% of strontium occurs in carbocernaite and the rest occurs in celestobarite and strontianite mineral. 92.71% of barium occurs in barite. Liberation of main rare-earth minerals such as bastnaesite and carbocernaite is more than 80% when the grinding fineness is78.42% passing 74 μm. The research results could be employed to provide detailed basic theoretical data for further improvement of the beneficiation process flow and the processing index of rare earth ore, the recycling of other valuable minerals and the comprehensive utilization of tailings.

The Processing Mineralogy for Lead and Zinc Oxide Ore in Sichuan

Using variety of modern testing methods, the processing mineralogical characteristics for a lead and zinc oxide ore in Sichuan were studied systematically. The chemical analysis result shows that the lead and zinc oxide content exceeding the minimum industrial grade and iron ore, total iron content reaches a minimum industrial grade and associated with gold and silver; The mineralogical analysis result shows that lead and zinc mineral composition and configuration are very complexity. The zinc minerals and zinciferous minerals are sphalerite, hemimorphite, Smithsonite, Hydrozincite, zinc chlorite, limonite, zinc dolomite and zincocalcite; lead minerals and plumbiferous minerals are mainly galena, cerussite, anglesite, limonite and Coronadite; The minerals disseminated grain size are very fine and mineral dissemination characteristics are very complex ; expected theoretical recoveries for lead and zinc were 72% and 67% respectively. The results of this study provide basic data and theoretical basis for ore dressing.

Relationship between process mineralogical characterization and beneficiability of low-grade laterite nickel ore

Process mineralogy of low-grade laterite nickel ore in Indonesia was systematically characterized and the beneficiation process of mineral components such as limonite,serpentine and chromite was studied on the basis of process mineralogy.The results show that the low-grade laterite nickel ore is a typical weathering sedimentary metamorphic oxidized ore,with the main valuable elements of Ni,Co and Cr and the main mineral components of limonite,serpentine,chromite,etc.There is no independent carrier mineral of Ni and Co in the raw ore,and the occurrence states of Ni and Co are relatively dispersed.For the limonite in laterite nickel mine,the nickel bearing magnetite concentrate with nickel grade of 1.98%and recovery rate of 88.42%can be obtained by reduction roasting magnetic separation process.For the serpentine in laterite nickel mine,the cobalt bearing concentrate with Co grade of 0.17%and recovery rate of 23.17%can be obtained by positive and reverse flotation process.A chromium concentrate containing 35.17%Cr_(2)O_(3) and a recovery of 33.42%can be obtained by using the combined process of coarse and fine classification and gravity and magnetic.

Study of the Mineralization Process of granular apatites in Weng'an Baidou Phosphate Deposit Using Microbeam Analyses

1 Introduction Studies of marine sedimentary phosphate rock have lasted decades,scholars proposed some standpoints about mineralization,however,the genesis of mineral deposits remains to be a controversial question(She et al.,2013).There are many viewpoints of mineralization about the Doushantuo phosphorites,Central Guizhou,including biological mineralization(Mi et al.,2010;Shi et al.,2005),

Mineralogical Characteristics of Exsolved Spinel in the Panzhihua V-Ti Magnetite Deposit, Sichuan: Implications for the Mineralization Process

Spinel exsolution is widespread in titanomagnetite from the Fe-Ti oxide gabbro of the Panzhihua intrusion, Emeishan Large Igneous Province, SW China. However, little research has been conducted into the implications of patterns in the mineralogical characteristics of the spinel for spatial variation in the controls on the exsolution mechanism and, hence, the formation process of the ore deposit. This study selected the Lanjiahuoshan Ore Block in the Panzhihua V-Ti magnetite deposit to explore this issue, systematically studying exsolution textures in the titanomagnetite through petrographic observation and the integrated use of in-situ microanalysis. The results show that the exsolved spinel gradually becomes finer-grained and less abundant from the center to edge and the bottom to top of the ore bodies. Compositionally, there is an inverse correlation between the size of exsolved spinel grains and their Mg# value. In addition, there is compositional zonation in the spinel interiors, with a gradual increase in the Mg content and decrease in Fe content from the core to the rim. The analysis suggests that fractional crystallization of ferrotitanium magma with a high oxygen fugacity in a shallow magma chamber caused compositional differences in the primary magnetite solid solution in different parts of the Panzhihua intrusion. Additionally, the thermal evolution of the magnetite solid solution differed in different parts of orebody, bringing about variations in spinel development. Together, these effects resulted in spatial variation in the abundance, grain size, and morphology of spinel in different parts of the orebody and intrusion that follows an identifiable distribution law. Furthermore, the compositional zonation of exsolved spinels reflects the rapid growth of exsolution features in a high-temperature environment. Thus, the size, morphology, abundance, and composition of spinel exsolution features in titanomagnetite provide a valuable petrogenetic tool for estimating the maturity and formational environment of the deposit.

Distribution Characteristics of Minerals and Elements in Chromite Ore Processing Residue

In this paper, environmental scanning electron microscopy （ESEM） is applied to characterizing the mineral and element distribution of chromite ore processing residue （COPR）. The test results show that Cr-bearing brownmillerite occurs in the rim of COPR particle, while hydroandradite with Cr （Ⅵ） in its structure presents inside the COPR particle. Periclase and calcite occur in the interstitial area. Element analyses show that Ca, Fe and Al are distributed throughout the COPR particle, and Mg exists mostly in the interstitial area or on the particle surface. A lower content of Cr is evenly distributed in the COPR particle, while slightly higher concentration of Cr occurs inside the particle. It is suggested that it will take a relatively longer time for Cr to migrate out of COPR, especially fbr hexavalent chromium, so the leaching time and the particle size may be two important factors to affect the release of Cr （Ⅵ）.

Role of ore mineralogy in optimizing conditions for bioleaching low-grade complex sulphide ores

The role that ore mineralogy plays in understanding and optimizing the conditions favouring the bioleaching of complex sulphide ore containing high amounts of siderite was studied using mixed cultures of mesophilic bacteria,with emphasis on zinc,lead and copper recoveries.The influencing parameters investigated include particle size,stirring speed,volume of inoculum,pulp density,and pH.The results show that the mixed mesophilic cultures can extract about two and a half times the amount of zinc than copper over an equivalent period of time.The highest zinc and copper recoveries of 89.2% and 36.4% respectively are obtained at particle size of 75 μm,stirring speed of 150 r/min,pulp density of 10% (w/v),12% (v/v) inoculum concentration,and a pH of 1.6.Variations in elemental composition within different particle sizes resulting from the mineralogy of the ore account for the bioleaching behaviour at varying particle sizes.The dissolution at varying pulp density,volume of inoculum,solution pH and the low solution potential observed are also influenced by ore mineralogy.

某铜矿工艺矿物学研究

为了充分了解某铜矿矿石性质,制定合理的选矿工艺流程,利用化学多元素分析、光学显微镜、MLA等综合手段,对矿石的化学成分、矿物种类、结构构造、主要矿物的嵌布特征以及主要有用元素的赋存状态进行分析研究。查明该矿石中主要有用元素为Cu和S,品位分别为1.73%、20.81%,伴生贵金属元素Au和Ag,品位分别为0.63、5.46 g/t。铜矿物主要是黄铜矿,其次是砷黝铜矿、黝铜矿,铜矿物以0.020~0.147 mm细粒为主,主要嵌布在硫化物及脉石矿物中。金属硫化物主要以黄铁矿为主,嵌布粒度以0.043~0.417 mm为主,在选矿时需要细磨以实现单体解离。金矿物主要以自然金和银金矿为主,以微粒金为主,嵌布在硫化物及脉石矿物中,共生关系复杂,回收难度也比较大。银元素分布比较分散,大部分分布在黄铁矿和铜矿物中。根据以上结果,建议采用“铜硫混合浮选-铜硫分离浮选工艺流程”处理铜矿石,对混合铜硫精矿再磨后进行分离,金银可以分别在铜精矿、硫精矿和尾矿中计价回收。

风化矿选矿技术现状与进展

矿石风化后其理化性质发生了复杂变化,导致后续选矿难度大、分选效率低。详述了风化金属矿和风化非金属矿选矿技术现状,归纳总结了风化矿分选的主要方法。针对含泥量高、粒度细、嵌布复杂的风化金属矿,可采用预处理强化以及加强分级选矿等方法进行多段选别,提高选矿效果。针对风化非金属矿氧化程度高、杂质含量多的特点,利用辅助手段剥去矿物表面氧化层,联合浮选工艺以及分级选矿的方法可获得较高品位的精矿。通过对风化后的矿物进行工艺矿物学研究,可掌握目的矿物和伴生矿物风化后的矿物特征,为制定分选工艺、选择分选设备、确定选矿药剂提供技术指导。进行矿石工艺矿物学研究是风化矿分选的前提,开发先进分选工艺设备、研制高效选矿药剂是风化矿选矿未来研究的重点。