Fluorite Beneficiation Process Research

Currently, fluorite beneficiation primarily involves hand sorting, gravity separation, and flotation, each depending on the ore's characteristics.

Hand sorting is suitable for ores with a clear boundary between fluorite and gangue. While inefficient, it is primarily used for large-particle separation or early waste rock removal, often as an auxiliary method in combined processes. Gravity separation, based on differences in mineral specific gravity, is used for pre-selection and enrichment of low-grade ores. Flotation is the mainstream process, separating fluorite from gangue through reagent manipulation. Fluorite ores are categorized into single-component and associated types based on their composition, requiring different beneficiation processes.

Flotation separation for quartz-type fluorite ores is relatively simple, typically employing a staged grinding process. Sodium carbonate is used to adjust the pH to 8-9, oleic acid is used as a collector, and water glass is used as a depressant. Through multiple rounds of separation, high-quality fluorite concentrate can be obtained.

Calcite-type fluorite ore beneficiation process: Fluorite and calcite have similar calcium ion solubility, easily interconverting and interfering with flotation. Their similar surface properties make separation difficult, often requiring multi-stage concentration and novel reagents.

Rare earth-fluorite associated ore: Rare earth-fluorite ore often requires separation of rare earth elements and fluorite and purification. Key processes include preferential flotation and combined magnetic-flotation separation.

Polymetallic-fluorite associated ore: Due to its diverse variety and complex distribution, polymetallic-fluorite associated ore, especially when coexisting with scheelite, fluorite recovery is significantly challenging. A process of ambient temperature flotation of scheelite followed by thermal concentration and tailings flotation of fluorite can be employed for recovery.