Title
Evaluation of an Aguia Resources-Três Estradas Brazilian Phosphate Ore Using Column Flotation
Conference Dates
April 29-May 4, 2018
Abstract
To satisfy increasing domestic fertilizer demand, development of low-grade, finely liberated, phosphate deposits within South America has increased. In response to this demand, and decreasing phosphate prices, efforts are being made to maximize global phosphate recovery and grade within existing and prospective phosphate flotation circuits. Such improvements are beneficial to all phosphate operations, but are most advantageous when treating a lower grade ore where processing costs are highest, operating margins are lowest, and a near zero-waste approach is necessary. Specifically, column flotation technology has proven to greatly increase phosphate flotation selectivity and recovery during treatment of fine, minus 212-micron, and ultra-fine, minus 53-micron, igneous phosphate ores from Aguia Resources’ Três Estradas project. Using column flotation, a deep froth is maintained and washed by means of a counter-current flow of clean wash water to minimize entrainment of gangue (i.e. calcite, silica, mica, etc.). Additionally, cavitation tube spargers are utilized to produce a fine bubble dispersion to maximize total available bubble surface area and improve fine phosphate particle recovery. In reverse flotation applications, where fine calcite or silica are rendered hydrophobic, such features also improve gangue rejection and phosphate recovery. This paper details the improved flotation response of both fresh carbonatite and saprolite of carbonatite phosphate ores from the Três Estradas deposit using CavTube column flotation.
Recommended Citation
Khosana Mohlabane, Andrew Hobert, Maria de Lourdes Fortes Alvares da Silva, Fernando Tallarico, and Guilherme Jacome, "Evaluation of an Aguia Resources-Três Estradas Brazilian Phosphate Ore Using Column Flotation" in "Beneficiation of Phosphates VIII", Dr. Patrick Zhang, Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute, USA Professor Jan Miller, University of Utah, USA Professor Laurindo Leal Filho, Vale Institute of Technology (ITV), Brazil Marius Porteus, Foskor-Mining Division, South Africa Professor Neil Snyders, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Mr. Ewan Wingate, WorleyParsons Services Pty Ltd., Australia Prof. Guven Akdogan, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Eds, ECI Symposium Series, (2018). https://dc.engconfintl.org/phosphates_viii/11