Factors Affecting the Recovery of Heavy Minerals from Oilsand Tailings by Flotation

Abstract

Abstract The recovery of heavy minerals from oilsand tailings by flotation has been studied. The results obtained indicate that the optimum pH is in the range of 8.3–11.7. Pine oil was used as a frother and the optimum concentration was found to be 0.15% (v/v) while frothing was depressed at its critical micelle concentration (CMC) in the extraction cell water (0.30% v/v). The use of starch to depress iron recovery also resulted in the depression of the heavy minerals. It is therefore suggested that iron removal be accomplished in the subsequent upgrading operations. The residual bitumen in these tailings appears to be associated with the gangue component of the solids. With a feed containing 10–12% TiO2 and 4–5% zircon, a heavy minerals concentrate containing 28–30% TiO2 and 10–12% zircon is obtainable at 85–95% recovery of these minerals if frothers are used. The flotation process under study has been shown to offer significant advantages over other heavy minerals recovery processes that have been developed and patented to date.