Apatite-staffelite ore flotation efficiency improvement
 using two-stage slurry thickening

Abstract

The studies were performed suggesting that the
 cause of P2O5 losses during apatite-staffelite ores (ASO)
 treatment are due to non-selective flocculation of fine
 classes during flotation. When using strong flocculants,
 special preparation of condensed slurries is necessary,
 ensuring their deflocculation before the flotation process.
 A scheme and mode of preparation of fine classes for the
 flotation process have been developed, including thickening
 of the classification overflows using strong anionic
 flocculants and deflocculation of the thickened product
 before the flotation process with reagents-dispersants
 used in the basic flotation mode. A mode of preparation
 of slimes of ASO ores for flotation is proposed, including
 thickening of the discharge of the classification
 operation using the anionic flocculant “Praestol-2540”,
 conditioning of the condensed product with additions of
 liquid glass and caustic soda in a ratio of 1 : 1, dilution
 and re-thickening of deflocculated slimes, consolidation
 and flotation thickened sludge and sand. The big laboratory
 tests have shown that the application of the developed
 regime provides a total increase in the extraction
 of P2O5 from ore from 70,1 to 71,5 % with an increase
 in the P2O5 content in apatite concentrate from 37,1 to
 37,8 %, which makes the developed technology promising
 for processing refractory ASO at Kovdorsky GOK.