Beneficiation of Bertrandite Ores in Xinjiang

Abstract

This is an article in the field of mineral processing engineering. The volcanic bertrandite ore used in this study was obtained from Xinjiang, China. Mineral and multi-elemental compositions were characterized to identify the disseminated grain size and occurrence of valuable minerals, and systematic flotation tests were carried out. In the presence of activator sodium fluoride in the grinding process, grinding fineness and reagents dosages were optimized. It was shown that with grinding fineness of -0.074 mm 85%, dosages of pH regulator sodium carbonate, inhibitor sodium silicate, and collector sodium oleate of 1 500 g/t, 1 000 g/t, and 2 000 g/t respectively, a coarse concentrate was generated with BeO grade of 6.03% and recovery of 97.02%.This coarse concentrate was reground to -0.045 mm 90% and enriched by two cleaning stages yielding a clean concentrate assaying 8.40% BeO with a BeO recovery of 78.09%, while BeO content of the coarse tailing was degraded to 0.003% after one scavenger flotation. The closed-circuit flotation test of "one-coarse, one-scavenger, three-cleaning separation, and integrated middling recirculated to coarse separation" has generated a concentrate with BeO grade of 8.12% and recovery of 80.99%, meeting the requirements of beryllium process for BeO content in raw materials .

Keywords

• mineral processing engineering
• bertrandite
• flotation reagents
• grade
• beneficiation
• grinding fineness