Optimizing reagent regime in apatite–nepheline ore processing

The studies aim to upgrade production technology of commercial quality apatite concentrate (Р2О5 content more than 30%). The chemical analysis uses the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, mineralogy is studied using electron microscopy, and flotation tests are carried out on flotation machine 237 FL-A. The influence of particle size on flotation parameters is analyzed. High pH of pulp is beneficial for flotation of apatite–nepheline ore. The mode of apatite ore flotation is optimized. Apatite associates with almost all minerals and often occurs in grains of other minerals. The computer-aided mineralogical analysis reveals that 32.78% of apatite occurs in free particles, and 22.29% and 44.92%—in binary and polymineral aggregates, respectively. The test flotation of Khibiny apatite ore produced apatite concentrate with P2O5 content of 39.04% at P2O5 recovery of 96.66%.

Elbendary A. M., Aleksandrova T. N., Nikolaeva N. V. Optimizing reagent regime in apatite–nepheline ore processing. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2020;(10):123-132. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236-1493-2020-10-0-123-132.

The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Project No. 19-17-00096.

A.M. Elbendary¹, Graduate Student,
T.N. Aleksandrova¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Head of Chair,
N.V. Nikolaeva¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: nadegdaspb@mail.ru,
¹ Saint-Petersburg Mining University, 199106, Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

N.V. Nikolaeva, e-mail: nadegdaspb@mail.ru.

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