XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 1551
Bulk Ore Mineralogy
The bulk mineralogical composition of the head and indi-
vidual sieve size fractions (+1.2 mm, –1.2 +0.3 mm, –0.3
+0.15 mm and –0.15 mm) as determined by QXRD is
shown in Table 3. The various ore fractions were selected
based on the data obtained from the particle size and size-
by-size assays. Based on the data in Figure 1, +2.4 mm and
–2.4 +1.2 mm fractions were combined to form +1.2 mm
feed and –1.2 +0.6 mm and –0.6 +0.3 mm were combined
to obtain –1.2 +0.3 mm feed. The XRD data revealed that
the ore consists of mostly silicate minerals, with the bulk of
the ore occupied by plagioclase and K-feldspar (~29 wt.%).
QEMSCAN Analysis
Notably, QXRD analysis failed to detect lithium bear-
ing minerals, hence detailed mineralogical analysis via
QEMSCAN analysis was conducted. QEMSCAN analysis
was conducted on selected ore size fractions including +
1.2 mm, –1.2 +0.3 mm, –0.3 +0.15 mm, and –0.15 mm.
Modal Mineralogy
The mineral composition and relative content of the ore
were measured using QEMSCAN, and the results are pre-
sented in Table 4. The data indicate that spodumene (20.2
wt.%) is the lithium bearing mineral in the ore, with its con-
centration decreasing with particle size. The main gangue
minerals include plagioclase, K-Feldspar, and quartz. The
data showed that the ore contained traces of low concnetra-
tion of mica, carbonates, and apatite.
Liberation Characteristics of Spodumene (SP)
The mass percentage of spodumene in each liberation class
versus sieve size range is presented as a bar chart in Figure 2.
The data suggest that spodumene in the ore is free and
Figure 1. Mass yield, Li2O grade, and Li2O distribution in the respective ore size fractions
Table 3. Mineralogical composition of the head sample, sieve size fractions (mm) obtained via QXRD
Minerals
Composition, %
Bulk +1.2 mm –1.2 +0.3 mm –0.3 +0.15 mm –0.15 mm
Quartz 23.9 21 26 26 24
K-Feldspar 28.9 30 28 27 31
Mica 4.5 5 4 5 3
Plagioclase 28.9 31 24 29 32
Pyroxene group 14.3 14 17 14 10
Total 100 100 100 100 100
Bulk Ore Mineralogy
The bulk mineralogical composition of the head and indi-
vidual sieve size fractions (+1.2 mm, –1.2 +0.3 mm, –0.3
+0.15 mm and –0.15 mm) as determined by QXRD is
shown in Table 3. The various ore fractions were selected
based on the data obtained from the particle size and size-
by-size assays. Based on the data in Figure 1, +2.4 mm and
–2.4 +1.2 mm fractions were combined to form +1.2 mm
feed and –1.2 +0.6 mm and –0.6 +0.3 mm were combined
to obtain –1.2 +0.3 mm feed. The XRD data revealed that
the ore consists of mostly silicate minerals, with the bulk of
the ore occupied by plagioclase and K-feldspar (~29 wt.%).
QEMSCAN Analysis
Notably, QXRD analysis failed to detect lithium bear-
ing minerals, hence detailed mineralogical analysis via
QEMSCAN analysis was conducted. QEMSCAN analysis
was conducted on selected ore size fractions including +
1.2 mm, –1.2 +0.3 mm, –0.3 +0.15 mm, and –0.15 mm.
Modal Mineralogy
The mineral composition and relative content of the ore
were measured using QEMSCAN, and the results are pre-
sented in Table 4. The data indicate that spodumene (20.2
wt.%) is the lithium bearing mineral in the ore, with its con-
centration decreasing with particle size. The main gangue
minerals include plagioclase, K-Feldspar, and quartz. The
data showed that the ore contained traces of low concnetra-
tion of mica, carbonates, and apatite.
Liberation Characteristics of Spodumene (SP)
The mass percentage of spodumene in each liberation class
versus sieve size range is presented as a bar chart in Figure 2.
The data suggest that spodumene in the ore is free and
Figure 1. Mass yield, Li2O grade, and Li2O distribution in the respective ore size fractions
Table 3. Mineralogical composition of the head sample, sieve size fractions (mm) obtained via QXRD
Minerals
Composition, %
Bulk +1.2 mm –1.2 +0.3 mm –0.3 +0.15 mm –0.15 mm
Quartz 23.9 21 26 26 24
K-Feldspar 28.9 30 28 27 31
Mica 4.5 5 4 5 3
Plagioclase 28.9 31 24 29 32
Pyroxene group 14.3 14 17 14 10
Total 100 100 100 100 100