Author 1:

Name & Surname: Shikhov N. V.
Company: Uralmekhanobr JSC (Ekaterinburg, Russia)
Work Position: Deputy Head of Dressing Department
Scientific Degree: Candidate of Engineering Sciences
Contacts: e-mail: umbr@umbr.ru

Author 2:

Name & Surname: Shigaeva V. N.
Company: Uralmekhanobr JSC (Ekaterinburg, Russia)
Work Position: Junior Researcher

Author 3:

Name & Surname: Nazarenko L. N.
Company: Uralmekhanobr JSC (Ekaterinburg, Russia)
Work Position: Researcher

The article describes test results on dressability of quartz–feldspathic–kaolin raw material from the Bisembaev deposit. The -functions of quartz, feldspar and kaolin versus size are presented. The authors developed the method of stagewise estimation of optimum limit grain size for minerals during separation and offer a draft scheme of dressing. The scheme includes ultrasound treatment to remove fine fractions of kaolin. The Bisembaev deposit ore samples delivered to Uralmekhanobr in 2013 are mainly composed of quartz, feldspar (potash feldspar), mica (potash mica, annite) and kaolinite. Goethite, hematite, ilmenite and hydrogoethite are present. Generally, grains of the minerals are not intergrown but cemented by kaolinite. The samples were more representative for the deposit as compared with the samples delivered in 1974 and 1977. Thereupon, the decision was made to develop a new processing technology for the quartz–feldspathic–kaolin raw material from the Bisembaev deposit. The main objective of the related research was to find the optimum limit grain size for mineral separation. In order to validate the selection procedure for the optimum limit grain size based on the analysis of the functions at the first stage of dressing scheme and to obtain the ultrasound-treated product, laboratory studies were carried out using the suggested size of a limit grain (screen mesh size). The subsequent flotation and magnetic separation yielded saleable concentrates. The check and refinement of the developed scheme proved the validity of the selected limit grain size and the suggested method of stage-wise analysis of the -functions for the quarzt–feldspathic–kaoline raw material from the Bisembaev deposit. Based on the described scheme, the complete processing technology is developed, and the schedule of processing plant project is elaborated.

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