XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3171
phase is the EnAM eucryptite and the third most common
one is AlMn-spinel type. In total 82 %of all measured par-
ticles contain gehlenite as the matrix phase. It is also well
liberated to 48 %(14 %locked, 38 %as middlings). The
AlMn-spinel type is present in 66 %of all particles and to
30 %liberated but mainly appear as middling with 60 %
(10 %locked).
Froth flotation
The results of the flotation tests are presented as Fuerstenau
(Figure 4, left) and Halbich (Figure 4, right) upgrad-
ing curves. At a concentration of 500 g/t OA gehlenite is
enriched instead of LiAlO2. This matches the results seen in
the Halbichplot, as the grade of LiAlO2 in the concentrate
decreases, compared to the feed grade. The absolute mass
pull at 500 g/t (Figure 5, left) is relatively low in compari-
son to the other collector concentrations. From Figure 6
it can be observed that the bubbles of the froth are rather
loaded with particles and the froth appears to be drier, com-
pared to that of higher concentrations. However, although
the absolute water pull is rather low, the concentration of
500 g/t OA still promotes the recovery of fine particles
into the concentrates with 90 %being smaller than 61 µm
(Figure 5, right).
Figure 3. Representative images for (left) BSE backscatter image of particles embedded in
graphite epoxy resin, (right) processed MLA image (e.g., violet =LiAlO
2 ,blue =gehlenite, yellow
=AlMn-spinel, pink =Mnrich AlMn-spinel, green =mixed phase)
Figure 4. (left) Fuerstenau upgrading diagram showing selectivity as a result for the slag batch flotation tests with 13 wt% slag,
variation of added collector OA with 500 g/t, 750 g/t and 1000 g/t and frother concentration of 70 g/t MIBC at pH 10.5. The
blue solid line represents the splitting curve where no enrichment occurs. (right) Halbich upgrading curve plotting the recovery
of LiAlO2 in the concentrates against the grade of LiAlO2 in the concentrates. The blue line shows the feed grade cLiAlO2,c
phase is the EnAM eucryptite and the third most common
one is AlMn-spinel type. In total 82 %of all measured par-
ticles contain gehlenite as the matrix phase. It is also well
liberated to 48 %(14 %locked, 38 %as middlings). The
AlMn-spinel type is present in 66 %of all particles and to
30 %liberated but mainly appear as middling with 60 %
(10 %locked).
Froth flotation
The results of the flotation tests are presented as Fuerstenau
(Figure 4, left) and Halbich (Figure 4, right) upgrad-
ing curves. At a concentration of 500 g/t OA gehlenite is
enriched instead of LiAlO2. This matches the results seen in
the Halbichplot, as the grade of LiAlO2 in the concentrate
decreases, compared to the feed grade. The absolute mass
pull at 500 g/t (Figure 5, left) is relatively low in compari-
son to the other collector concentrations. From Figure 6
it can be observed that the bubbles of the froth are rather
loaded with particles and the froth appears to be drier, com-
pared to that of higher concentrations. However, although
the absolute water pull is rather low, the concentration of
500 g/t OA still promotes the recovery of fine particles
into the concentrates with 90 %being smaller than 61 µm
(Figure 5, right).
Figure 3. Representative images for (left) BSE backscatter image of particles embedded in
graphite epoxy resin, (right) processed MLA image (e.g., violet =LiAlO
2 ,blue =gehlenite, yellow
=AlMn-spinel, pink =Mnrich AlMn-spinel, green =mixed phase)
Figure 4. (left) Fuerstenau upgrading diagram showing selectivity as a result for the slag batch flotation tests with 13 wt% slag,
variation of added collector OA with 500 g/t, 750 g/t and 1000 g/t and frother concentration of 70 g/t MIBC at pH 10.5. The
blue solid line represents the splitting curve where no enrichment occurs. (right) Halbich upgrading curve plotting the recovery
of LiAlO2 in the concentrates against the grade of LiAlO2 in the concentrates. The blue line shows the feed grade cLiAlO2,c