HUI Bo1,2, Chen Xiao-qing1,2, ZHAO Kai-le1,3, LIU Fei-yan1,2
(1. Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, CAGS, Chengdu 610041, China;
2. Key Laboratory of Vanadium Magnetite Comprehensive Utilization, Ministry of Land and Resources, Chengdu 610041, China;
3. School of Resource Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)
Abstract: The processing mineralogy characteristics of a porphyry copper ore were investigated through microscope, SEM, EDX, chemical analysis and other means, which focusing on the analysis of the occurrence state of scandium. And then the effect of mineralogical factors on the recovery of copper, iron and scandium were discussed. Chemical analysis results show that the minerals contain 0.35% Cu and 28.2 g/t Sc, which reach the industrial grade of comprehensive recovery. Minerals identification results show that the copper minerals, Ti-magnetite, pyroxene and plagioclase account for 0.52%, 8.23%, 44.17% and 42.62% of total minerals, respectively. However, the independent mineral of Sc was not found in the ores. Grain size statistics results show that the ores has typical diabasic texture and they also have the characteristic of fine particle size closely disseminated, which are difficult to be dissociated. Occurrence state of scandium results show that the SC is mainly dispersive distribution in the ores. Pyroxene is the main carrier mineral for SC (relatively distribution rate of 66.67%), which should be the enrichment object in the flotation. The study recommends using flotation recovery of copper, and using the magnetic difference of magnetite, pyroxene and plagioclase to separate them. In essence, the process of separation of pyroxene was a physical scandium enrichment processing. As a result, the mineral processing process is adopting the flotation of copper, weak magnetic of iron, and strong magnetic separation of scandium.
Keywords: porphyry copper; Sc; occurrence; flotation separation factors
Email: zhaokaile0557@sina.com
ACTA MINERALOGICA SINICA Vol. 36, No. 3, 2016, Page 423-428
