[en] This work presents the mineralogical characterization of a very low-grade Brazilian gold ore. The aim is to provide mineralogical information and liberation distribution characteristics in order to assess a possible economic byproducts recovery. This may include a direct tailings processing or alternative gold processing routes. It was studied the distribution of all minerals present in the ore, mainly the gangue minerals. Distribution based on speciation, particle size, mineralogical association and liberation determined through the use of the automated analytical Scanning Electron Microscope technique (MLA). The study is complemented with chemical and mineralogical analysis by XRF and XRD respectively. It also includes particle size analysis, gravity separation and magnetic separation tests. Chemical analysis showed that the ore consists essentially of SiO2 (62.33%), Al2O3 (15.95%), Fe2O3 (7.66%), K2O (4.60%), TiO2 (1%) and others (8.46%). Based on this analysis, the study was mainly directed to the characterization of titanium-bearing minerals due to its economic importance. Therefore, minerals as ilmenite, rutile and anatase were identified as the Ti-bearing minerals. After a meticulous analysis of the results, it was identified a possible route for processing TiO2, taking into account the mineralogical and liberation point of view.
Disciplines :
Geological, petroleum & mining engineering
Author, co-author :
Rojas, Ronald; Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro - PUC-Rio > Departament of Materials Engineering
Torem, Mauricio; Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro - PUC-Rio > Departament of Materials Engineering
Merma, Antonio; Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro - PUC-Rio > Departament of Materials Engineering
Bertolino, Luis Carlos; Centre for Mineral Technology - CETEM
Monte, Marisa; Centre for Mineral Technology - CETEM