Separation of colemanite from tailings using the pilot scale flotation column

The tailing discharged in mineral processing plants is not only an economical loss, but also an environmental problem in mining industry. For example, fine grained tailing of Emet Boron Concentrator in Kutahya/Turkey is discharged to the slurry pond. However, the B2O3 content of the tailing is about...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPowder technology Vol. 309; pp. 31 - 36
Main Authors Şahbaz, Oktay, Uçar, Ali, Öteyaka, Bahri, Taş, Osman Ö., Özdemir, Orhan
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.03.2017
Elsevier BV
Subjects
Boron oxides
Classification
Colemanite separation
Concentrators
Discharge
Economic conditions
Flotation
Flotation column
Mine tailings
Mineral processing
Mining
Mining industry
Quality
Slurries
Tailings
Washing
Flotation column
Flotation
Colemanite separation
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Summary:The tailing discharged in mineral processing plants is not only an economical loss, but also an environmental problem in mining industry. For example, fine grained tailing of Emet Boron Concentrator in Kutahya/Turkey is discharged to the slurry pond. However, the B2O3 content of the tailing is about 26%, and therefore, it can be accepted as a valuable boron source after the determination of suitable method/methods to recycle these tailings. In this context, this study was aimed to utilize a column flotation technique to recycle the colemanite tailings after scrubbing-classification process. The effect of some operational parameters such as bias factor and superficial gas velocity was investigated on column flotation of colemanite in terms of recovery and grade. According to the results, a concentrate having nearly 45% B2O3 with a recovery of 99% was obtained from the tailings sample with 26% B2O3 using the flotation column. Finally, a colemanite concentrate of 43.12% B2O3 was produced with a recovery of 93.46% using scrubbing-classification followed by flotation processes. [Display omitted] •Pilot scale flotation column was used for the first time in colemanite flotation.•Flotation column can be used effectively for colemanite flotation.•Optimum operational conditions were found for colemanite separation.•Final concentrate was obtained with 45% grade and 99% recovery.
ISSN:0032-5910
1873-328X
DOI:10.1016/j.powtec.2016.12.077