Fluorite ore processing methods and steps

Due to the depletion of fluorite rock and the intercalation of fluorite and gangue minerals, flotation has become the main method for separating fluorite and gangue minerals.

1. High-grade fluorite rock

For high-grade fluorspar ore and granular ore of 6-20 mm, we use gravity separation.

The gravity separation process only uses a jig for gravity treatment to obtain granular concentrate. This fluorspar concentrate is used as a coarse metallurgical grade fluorspar product.

2. Complex associated fluorite

According to the different gangue minerals, fluorite rock types are divided into fluorite-quartz type ore, fluorite-calcite type ore, sulfide fluorite type ore, and fluorite-barite type ore. Different ore properties require different flotation processes.

2.1 Fluorite-calcite type ore

Fluorite-calcite type ore is mainly composed of fluorite and calcite (content is more than 30%).

Under alkaline conditions, calcite floats easily. However, under acidic conditions, the flotation conditions of calcite are greatly reduced. According to mineral processing experiments, the pH value of the concentration tank should be controlled between 6.4-6.8.

Depending on the pH, we can use calcite inhibitors to increase the difference in flotation conditions between the two minerals.

2.2 Sulfide fluorite ore

For sulfide fluorspar ores, xanthate collectors are usually added to the flotation of sulfide ores, and fatty acid collectors are usually added to the flotation of fluorite.

If the sulfide is not depleted, a small amount of sulfite inhibitor can be added to prevent residual sulfide from accumulating in the fluorspar concentrate.

2.3 Fluorite-barite type ore

Fluorite-barite type ores are mainly composed of fluorite and barite. The barite content is generally 10%-40%, often accompanied by sulfide minerals such as pyrite, galena, and sphalerite.

To obtain high-quality fluorspar concentrate, bulk flotation is generally used to suppress barite and then separate fluorspar.

2.4 Fluorite-quartz type ore

Fluorite-quartz type ore is mainly composed of fluorite (content up to 85%), quartz, and only contains small amounts of calcite, barite and sulfide.

The quartz composition of fluorspar concentrate varies from place to place, and can be divided into three categories: metallurgical grade, ceramic grade, and acid grade. Acid-grade fluorspar minerals have higher requirements for quartz.

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