Research on resource comprehensive utilization of granite-type sulfide mine tailings

Abstract

In order to recover and utilize mica and quartz from the tailings of a granite-type sulfide ore in Jiangxi Province, the technique of separating mica and quartz from the tailings by flotation without acid was investigated. Pyrite flotation was performed on a 500 g tailing sample to remove pyrite. And the middlings were acquired by desliming of the unfloated products. Finally mica and quartz was separated from the middlings in the mechanical flotation cell. Under conditions of pH=10.3 with a pulp concentration of 35% and a collector concentration of 180 g/t, a yield of 12.89% mica and 42.73% quartz was obtained, with silica grades as high as 71.50% in the quartz. The mica and quartz products can be used in construction ceramics and construction sand, respectively. It is believed that the outcomes of this work could provide ideas for comprehensive utilization of sulfide tailings.