An investigation on flotation process of low grade Niobium/Tantalum ore

In this paper, the characterization and flotation performance of AM810 Hydroxamic acid on Niobium (Nb) and Tantalum (Ta) ore was investigated. The ore was characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Flotation experiments were carried out in a 3 litre Leeds Barker laboratory flotation cell. It was observed that the ore was a low grade Nb-Ta ore constituting 0.01% Nb and 0.04% Ta interlocked in 32.42% Si matrix together with other gangue minerals such as Al, Na, K, Fe and Ca minerals. Major mineral phases bearing Nb and Ta were Ilmenorutile [FeO (Nb, Ta)₂O₅.5TiO₂], Pyrochlore [(Na, Ca, Ce)₂(Nb, Ta)₂O₆(OH, F)] and Tapiolite [(Fe, Mn)(Nb, Ta)₂O₆]. Milling tests conducted at varying times show that the ore was fairly hard producing 80% passing 150μm after milling for 40 minutes in a laboratory rod mill. Flotation tests indicated that at a grind of 80% passing75μm and collector dosage of 2000g/t (AM810 Hydroxamic acid), a flotation concentrate assaying 0.10% Nb and 0.13% at a recovery of 77.02 and 82.74% respectively was obtained.