ZENG Ling-xi, ZHU Zhi-min

(Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, CAGS, Chengdu 61004, China)

Abstract: To utilize the Chengkou manganese deposit, this research is on process mineralogy. It is found the principal manganese minerals that compose the ore are rhodochrosite and Mn-rich dolomite. The gangue minerals contain low manganese concentrations. However, due mostly to shallow mineral deposit formation, the minerals are poorly crystallized, fine crystalline or in an amorphous state, making mineral separation difficult. In addition, chemical replacement leads to complex intergrowths of carbonate and gangue minerals and decreased ease of sorting the mineral ore. Finally, the presence of substantial carbonates also increases the difficulty of ore dressing.

Key words: manganese ore; process mineralogy; utilization; Chengkou