XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2311
minimizing quartz content. Furthermore, the unexpected,
floated quartz is certainly due to the mineral association
analyzed and described in Figure 6. Regarding the recoveries
of apatite and quartz, Figure 12 shows that ROC exhibited
the lowest recoveries, which can be attributed to its lowest
adsorption capacity on the apatite surface, as demonstrated
in adsorption quantification experiments. Apatite recover-
ies exceeded 60% when using MOC as the collector at pH
9. Apatite recoveries with the FrOC collector were higher at
acidic conditions, surpassing 45%. The recovery efficiency
followed the order: MOC FrOC ROC, consistent with
previous adsorption experiments. Although these prelimi-
nary results are promising, the recoveries are still relatively
low. Therefore, optimization is highly recommended to
determine the best collector dosage to maximize apatite
recovery while minimizing quartz recovery. Additionally,
the enrichment ratios for carbonated fluorapatite contained
in the studied phosphated flint sample under different pH
levels (6, 9, 12) using MOC, FrOC, and ROC are pre-
sented in Figure 13. These ratios are crucial for assessing the
separation efficiency of the valuable mineral from its associ-
ated gangue minerals. The enrichment ratio is a measure
of the concentration of apatite in the concentrate fraction
compared to the feed, providing insights into the effective-
ness of the separation process (Gaudin, 1957 Wills and
Finch, 2015). An enrichment ratio of 2.05 is expected in an
Figure 11. The modal composition of the concentrate fraction using FACs at a. pH 6, b. pH 9, and c. pH 12
minimizing quartz content. Furthermore, the unexpected,
floated quartz is certainly due to the mineral association
analyzed and described in Figure 6. Regarding the recoveries
of apatite and quartz, Figure 12 shows that ROC exhibited
the lowest recoveries, which can be attributed to its lowest
adsorption capacity on the apatite surface, as demonstrated
in adsorption quantification experiments. Apatite recover-
ies exceeded 60% when using MOC as the collector at pH
9. Apatite recoveries with the FrOC collector were higher at
acidic conditions, surpassing 45%. The recovery efficiency
followed the order: MOC FrOC ROC, consistent with
previous adsorption experiments. Although these prelimi-
nary results are promising, the recoveries are still relatively
low. Therefore, optimization is highly recommended to
determine the best collector dosage to maximize apatite
recovery while minimizing quartz recovery. Additionally,
the enrichment ratios for carbonated fluorapatite contained
in the studied phosphated flint sample under different pH
levels (6, 9, 12) using MOC, FrOC, and ROC are pre-
sented in Figure 13. These ratios are crucial for assessing the
separation efficiency of the valuable mineral from its associ-
ated gangue minerals. The enrichment ratio is a measure
of the concentration of apatite in the concentrate fraction
compared to the feed, providing insights into the effective-
ness of the separation process (Gaudin, 1957 Wills and
Finch, 2015). An enrichment ratio of 2.05 is expected in an
Figure 11. The modal composition of the concentrate fraction using FACs at a. pH 6, b. pH 9, and c. pH 12