Mining Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia:

T. N. Mukhina, Divisional Manager, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
V. V. Marchevskaya, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, vvm@goi.kolasc.net.ru

APATIT’s Kirovsk Office, Kirovsk, Russia:
A. I. Kalugin, Deputy Technical Officer – Chief Dresser, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

A large majority of apatite reserves occur in the center of the Kola Peninsula, in the world’s largest Khibiny alkaline massif. Representative ore of the deposits features the comparatively high floatability with high recovery of apatite. The special category apatite–nepheline ore in destruction zones contains finely dispersed secondary minerals. Selectivity of apatite flotation from such ore is violated, and all process parameters decrease. This article presents the studies into optimization of flotation conditions for the apatite–nepheline ore extracted from destruction zones, with high content of finely dispersed components. Kinetics of apatite ore flotation is tested in the conventional reagent regime (basic) of APATIT’s processing plants and in a new regime with a mixture of anionic and nonionic collectors. Duration of flotation at the highest efficiency is determined. The proposed reagent regime with the mixture of anionic and nonionic collectors is highly selective relative to apatite, including finely dispersed particles. Selectivity of the composite collector is explained by the synergetic effect of its components at the phase interface. The use of the composite collector allows producing apatite concentrate of good quality and at high apatite recovery.

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