Selective flotation of phosphorus-bearing ores

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the beneficiation of a phosphorus-bearing mineral through selective flotation process. The chemical examination showed that the sample contain a low content of P2O5 12.5 % and significant amounts of rare earth elements (REE), %: yttrium - 0.01, lanthanum - 0.06, cerium - 0.09, neodymium - 0.03. The particle size distribution of the sample was performed, and each separated fraction was chemically analyzed. A detailed examination of the mineralog ical characteristics was conducted using automated mineral liberation analyzer (MLA). It has been shown that the apatite particles are mostly liberated in all fraction sizes. The maximum percentage of apatite polymineral aggregate was recorded in the grain size of -0.5 + 0.2 mm, mainly with nepheline and pyroxenes. The maximum percentage of apatite binary aggregate was noted in the grain size of -0.16 + 0.071 and -0.071 + 0.045 mm. Based on the obtained results, the size of the flotation feed was predetermined, which allowing the complete liberation of phosphorusbearing mineral (apatite) and avoiding over-grinding of the ore.

Keywords

• selective flotation
• selective disintegration
• automated mineralogical analysis
• apatite
• ree