V. S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia):

Yusupov T. S., Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Leading Researcher, yusupov@igm.nsc.ru

Chinakal Institute of Mining, Siberian Branch of the RAS (Russia):
Kondratyev S. A., Doctor of Engineering Sciences,Head of Department, Leading Researcher
Baksheeva I. I., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Researcher

The changes in particle-size distribution and chemical composition, structural features and dressability of production-induced mineral formation, composed of cassiterite-sulfide ores gravity and flotation concentration tailings of more than 10-year storage, were studied. One of the main changes consists in minerals’ aggregation – over 65 % of particles exceed 0.2 mm size, whereas, in contrast, material of smaller size was dumped. Aggregates are characterized by low strength and are easily disintegrated through minor mechanical actions. Minerals are bound by iron-containing formations, represented with degradation products of sulfides, first of all, pyrite, marcasite and arsenopyrite, their quantity in the production-induced mineral formation reaching 70 %. The share of rock-forming minerals — quartz, plagioclase, amphibole and mica, amounts to 12–15 %, and the secondary minerals, formed in the process of storage, namely, jarosite, calcite, gypsum, chlorite, beudantite and others, are represented in the same quantity. Cassiterite, the main tin mineral, was ascertained through X-ray phase analysis only following attritioning and disintegration grinding. Tin content in sample, according to the chemical analysis data, amounted to 1.08 %. Up to 50–60 % of sulfides were removed by flotation, the remaining material was beneficiated on concentrating table. Cassiterite conventional flotation from heavy fraction of gravity concentration did not provide positive result due to increased defect structure and hydrated surface of the productioninduced mineral formation. Heavy fraction electromagnetic beneficiation turned out more effective, following additional removal of light minerals and in the first place, quartz, tin grade being about 20 %. This product may be subjected to fuming-process with quite satisfactory efficiency. The implemented studies open up a new opportunity for beneficiation and processing of aged tin-containing production-induced mineral formation.

The studies were performed with the aid of the Russian Science Foundation Grant (Project No. 15-17-10017).
The authors are indebted to V. V. Ustinov, the Director of NOZ LLC, and V. D. Gorodetsky for provision of the productioninduced mineral formation samples and useful consultations.

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