Rare Earth-Iron-Nickel Polymetallic Ore Beneficiation
In mining exploitation and mineral processing, the rare earth-iron-nickel polymetallic ore has become one of the most important mineral raw materials. Due to the occurrence and complex composition of the ore, not only the extraction process is difficult but also the beneficiation process is considerably complicated. In order to achieve efficient recovery and high grade of the target metals, a reasonable beneficiation process has to be adopted.
The rare earth-iron-nickel polymetallic ore beneficiation process includes physical beneficiation and chemical beneficiation. Physical beneficiation includes gravity separation, magnetic separation, etc., while chemical beneficiation includes gravimetric separation, flotation, tailings leaching, etc. The specific steps of the beneficiation process vary depending on the ore properties. Through physical beneficiation, the target elements of the ore are separated while nonmetallic minerals are also extracted. This maximizes the amount of sulphur, phosphorus, and other exploitable components from the ore. Then, through chemical beneficiation, the separated target elements are further separated to obtain mixed ore concentrates with high grade.
Gravity separation has a wide range of application in the rare earth-iron-nickel polymetallic ore beneficiation due to its effective and rapid separation, low cost and large production. Generally, in ore beneficiation, the intrinsic properties of different minerals are utilized for the differentiation between densities of different elements in the ore. Minerals of larger specific gravity are easily separated from the lighter particles. Therefore, in the process of gravity concentration, the heavier minerals are separated and get concentrated at the bottom of the concentrator, while the lighter materials form the tailings.
In addition, magnetic separation is an effective method to separate fine and magnetic particles from non-magnetic particles. By taking advantage of the differences in the magnetic properties of magnetic and non-magnetic minerals, the magnetic and non-magnetic substances are separated by changing the magnetic field of the separator. This beneficiation method is suitable for the separation of magnetite and titanomagnetite minerals.
Finally, flotation can be used in the rare earth-iron-nickel polymetallic ore beneficiation for further upgrading the ore. By taking advantage of the differences in the physical and chemical properties between different minerals, the desired minerals with good floatability are floated and separated from undesired minerals. Flotation can be used not only for the separation of sulfide and oxide minerals, but also for the separation of potash minerals, such as fluorite and talc.
The above are the common physical and chemical beneficiation methods for the rare earth-iron-nickel polymetallic ore. To achieve a higher efficient separation and a higher grade of concentrates, different beneficiation methods need to be matched and combined to form a reasonable beneficiation process in accordance with the ore composition and mining conditions. According to the results of laboratory experiments and pilot tests, on-site beneficiation tests should be conducted in order to determine the final good processing technology. With the application of advanced beneficiation equipment, new technologies, and reasonable beneficiation flow, the utilization rate of rare earth-iron-nickel polymetallic ore resources can be improved greatly, to enhance the comprehensive benefit of the ore.
