Mineralogical features of material constitution and handleability of ilmenite ore from the Satpayev deposit

The article describes the comprehensive studies of ilmenite ore from the Satpayev deposit for the justification of an efficient and integrated processing flow sheet. The research included the granulometric, chemical and fractional analyses, as well as the detailed mineralogical analysis using optical and electron microscopy. It is found that the test ore has a relatively simple material constitution; the metallic minerals represent ilmenite and zircon at the contents of 3.5–3.6% Ti and 0.071–0.073% Zr. The content of clayey minerals is high (to 30%), which governs difficult washability of the material. The main portion of titanium (to 89%) and zirconium (to 79%) concentrates in the grain size category of −0.45+0.071 mm, which features high recovery of heavy fraction with the density more than 2950 kg/m3 (99% titanium and 96% zirconium). The rest of titanium and zirconium is contained in the grain size category of −0.071+0.0 mm. The technology adopted at the ore processing plant at the Satpayev deposit uses magnetic separation of ilmenite, which limits multipurpose utilization of the mineral raw material. Based on the obtained data, a mixed-type gravitational–magnetic flow sheet of separation is proposed. Ultrafine screen sizing and centrifugal separation are validated for the enhanced efficiency of recovery of fine fractions. The practical significance of the proposed approach consists in the actual producibility of ilmenite concentrate, zirconium product and quartz sand, which ensures full use of the mineral raw material. 

Motovilov I. Yu., Adilzhan Zh., Algebraistova N. K., Sergali A. Y., Kalmantayev A. K. Mineralogical features of material constitution and handleability of ilmenite ore from the Satpayev deposit. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(8):127-139. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_8_0_127.

I.Yu. Motovilov¹, Doctor PhD, Associate Professor, Professor, e-mail: i.motovilov@satbayev.university, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0716-402X,
Zh. Adilzhan¹, Master of Technical Sciences, 2nd year Doctoral Student, e-mail: z.adilzhan@satbayev.university, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0125-0098,
N.K. Algebraistova, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Siberian Federal University, 660041, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, e-mail: nalgebraistova@sfu-kras.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0185-8389,
A.Y. Sergali¹, 1nd year Master's Student, e-mail: Azamat.sergali@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0009-0007-6070-3102,
A.K. Kalmantayev, Technician-Technologist, KAZ Minerals Aktogay LLP, 070205, Aktogay, Kazakhstan, e-mail: sarbasovayan@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0009-0009-0391-150,
¹ Satbayev University, 050013, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Zh. Adilzhan, e-mail: z.adilzhan@satbayev.university.

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