Abstract
The mineralogical characteristics of a phosphate tailing were studied, and the occurrence state, mineral types, and embedded characteristics of phosphorus in the phosphate tailings were ascertained. The results show that the main minerals in the phosphate tailings are collophane. The main gangue minerals are quartz, dolomite, calcite, a small amount of potassium feldspar, plagioclase, chlorite, etc. Monazite was found in phosphate tailings. In addition, the coarse grain size of quartz and feldspar and fine embedded particle size of calcite and dolomite are also the main factors affecting the mineral processing of phosphate tailings. According to the analysis of mineralogical characteristics, the physical and chemical properties of phosphate tailings provided the basis for comprehensive utilization of phosphorus resources.
Highlights
A large number of phosphate tailings are produced in the process of phosphate ore dressing, and its output accounts for 20%–30% of the raw ore [1]
Because P2O5 content in phosphate rock has an important impact on its application in industry and agriculture [10], reducing the phosphorus grade in phosphate tailings helps to mitigate the amount of wastes for disposal. erefore, more attention has been paid to the recovery of phosphorus from phosphate tailings [11]. e mineral characteristics of phosphate rock directly influence the mineral processing process [12]; on the other hand, the physical and chemical properties of phosphate tailings depend on the characteristics of phosphate rock and mineral processing process
Conclusions ere are altogether 13 kinds of minerals in the ore, including phosphate, oxide, silicate, and natural elements, in which phosphate accounts for 45%, oxide accounts for 18.3%, silicate accounts for 8%, carbonate accounts for 28.3%, and natural elements are few; the main ore mineral is collophane, and the main gangue minerals are quartz, dolomite, calcite, a small amount of potassium feldspar, plagioclase, chlorite, etc. e main mineral structures have colloidal aphanitic texture, fine-grained sand chip structure, oolitic structure, and inclusion structure. e combination of mineral aggregates is relatively close, and the way of mutual cementation and association is relatively simple
Summary
A large number of phosphate tailings are produced in the process of phosphate ore dressing, and its output accounts for 20%–30% of the raw ore [1]. Most of the phosphate tailings are mainly stored in tailings dams, which occupy a large amount of land with high disposal costs and resulting environmental hazards [3, 4]. The process mineralogy of phosphate tailings was studied by means of chemical multielement analysis, microscopic observation of ground smooth slices, energy spectrum analysis of scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). By finding out the structure, occurrence state, mineral types, and distribution characteristics of phosphate tailings, this study grasps the properties of phosphate tailings, providing a basis for the separation of phosphate tailings, and the physical and chemical properties of phosphate tailings, providing a guide for further development of backfilling process. Materials and Methods e sample for this test is a phosphate tailing; the chemical composition and mineral composition of phosphate tailings were analyzed. e mineral structure, embedded properties, the mineral morphology, and element distribution of the main minerals in phosphate tailings were measured by polarizing microscope (Leica DM4500P), scanning electron microscope (Zeiss EVO18), and energy-dispersive spectrometer (Bruker XFLASH6100)
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