Development of a resource-saving technology for industrial processing of hematite-containing raw materials based on computer modelling

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the research aimed at recovery of hematite from current and stockpiled tailings produced at the mineral processing plant of Olkon JSC. The authors investigated material composition of tailing samples. Using methods of computational fluid dynamics and the ANSYS software, the models of spiral separation of the tailings have been developed. The use of computer modelling has shown that spiral separators can be recommended for tailings processing. The modelling results were confirmed with industrial spiral separation tests conducted at the processing plant. The authors developed a gravity separation technology for processing the magnetic separation tailings and stockpiled tailings. The proposed technology allows recovering hematite concentrate with a hematite iron content of 54.5% and recovery of 75.4% from current tailings containing 5.2% of hematite iron. It was also shown that hematite concentrate can be recovered from stockpiled tailings using the separation technology based on the use of spiral separation. The gravity separation technology provides for resources economy at the mineral processing plant. The use of stockpiled tailing as a raw material source can reduce negative environmental impact.