1552 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
liberated (91%). Only 3% of spodumene in the ore was
competely locked and 6% formed complex middlings with
gangue minerals. Generally, it can be seen in Figure 2 that
the proportion of free (100% SP) increases with decreas-
ing sieve size, whereas the liberated (90 x 100% SP)
spodumene decreases with decreasing sieve size. Overall,
the data suggest that more than 80% spdoumene minerals
are within the free+liberated liberation class. This present
significant advantages in processing the ore for its lithium
content as minimal or no further comminution is required
prior to benefication strategies.
Grain Size Distribution of Spodumene and Silicate
Gangue Minerals
The grain size distribution of the spodumene and combined
silicate gangue minerals is presented in Figure 3. About a
Table 4. Mineralogical composition of the head sample and sieve size fractions (mm) obtained via QEMSCAN analysis
Minerals
Composition, %
Bulk +1.2 mm –1.2 +0.3 mm –0.3 +0.15 mm –0.15 mm
Spodumene 20.2 24.9 18.5 18.3 12.7
Plagioclase 21.5 17.8 19.6 24.7 30.7
K-Feldspar 38.0 43.5 39.5 30.5 33.0
Carbonates 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0
MnFe Ox 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.9 0.6
Apatite 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2
Quartz 17.1 11.2 18.0 23.2 20.9
Micas 1.9 1.2 4.0 1.4 1.2
Other Silicates 0.4 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.4
Others 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.2
Total 100 100 100 100 100
Figure. 2. Percentage by mass of spodumene (SP) in each liberation class versus particle size range
liberated (91%). Only 3% of spodumene in the ore was
competely locked and 6% formed complex middlings with
gangue minerals. Generally, it can be seen in Figure 2 that
the proportion of free (100% SP) increases with decreas-
ing sieve size, whereas the liberated (90 x 100% SP)
spodumene decreases with decreasing sieve size. Overall,
the data suggest that more than 80% spdoumene minerals
are within the free+liberated liberation class. This present
significant advantages in processing the ore for its lithium
content as minimal or no further comminution is required
prior to benefication strategies.
Grain Size Distribution of Spodumene and Silicate
Gangue Minerals
The grain size distribution of the spodumene and combined
silicate gangue minerals is presented in Figure 3. About a
Table 4. Mineralogical composition of the head sample and sieve size fractions (mm) obtained via QEMSCAN analysis
Minerals
Composition, %
Bulk +1.2 mm –1.2 +0.3 mm –0.3 +0.15 mm –0.15 mm
Spodumene 20.2 24.9 18.5 18.3 12.7
Plagioclase 21.5 17.8 19.6 24.7 30.7
K-Feldspar 38.0 43.5 39.5 30.5 33.0
Carbonates 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0
MnFe Ox 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.9 0.6
Apatite 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2
Quartz 17.1 11.2 18.0 23.2 20.9
Micas 1.9 1.2 4.0 1.4 1.2
Other Silicates 0.4 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.4
Others 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.2
Total 100 100 100 100 100
Figure. 2. Percentage by mass of spodumene (SP) in each liberation class versus particle size range