How to increase KCl recovery during beneficiation of natural potash ores?

The main source of potassium fertilizers is sylvinite ores consisting primarily of halite (NaCl), silicate and clay-carbonate slurries (clay-salt slurries). Processing of natural potash ores is mainly carried out by the flotation method, which separates KCl, NaCl, and clay-salt slurry. The research is aimed at revealing the effect of sonochemical pretreatment of the depressor reagents, CMC and starch, on dynamic viscosity, aggregate size, electrokinetic potential of these reagent solutions and sylvin flotation performance. Sonochemical pretreatment of sylvin flotation depressors contributes to an increase in KCl recovery and a decrease in the slurry content in the flotation concentrate.

You can learn more about this from the article in our journal:

🔥 Burov V.E., Poilov V.Z., Huang Z., Chernyshev A.V., Kuzminykh K.G. Effect of sonochemical pretreatment of slurry depressors on sylvin flotation performance. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2022;7(4):298–309. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2022-08-09 🔥

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#inenglish #MST #mining #beneficiation #flotation #ultrasound #depressor #slurry #carboxymethylcellulose #starch #zeta_potential #viscosity #recovery #ore #fertilizer #sylvinite

We present the articles of the third issue of scientific journal "Mining Science and Technology” (Russia) for 2024:

“Invisible” gold is referred to submicroscopic gold particles that are 1–100 nm in size and are not detected using optical or electron microscopy. The presence of “invisible” gold and silver in ores complicates the selection of flow charts for their processing and owes the necessity for the development of new process solutions and improvement of existing ones. Experiments have shown the necessity of using magnetite to achieve coarsening fine silver particles. The optimal magnetite content is 10%, which leads to the formation of spherical aggregates of silver with a size of 20-40 microns. As a result of processing, it was possible to increase the particle size of precious metals up to 20-50 microns, which can then be extracted using traditional enrichment methods.

For more information, see the article:

🔥 Aleksandrova Т.N., Afanasova A.V., Aburova V.A. “Invisible” noble metals in carbonaceous rocks and beneficiation products: feasibility of detection and coarsening. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(3):231-242. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2024-03-229 🔥

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#inenglish #MST #beneficiation #ore #flotation #silver #magnetite #gold #microwave #processing

How can the efficiency of flotation processing of complex ores be improved?

Flotation beneficiation plays a leading role in the processing most ores. The efficiency of this process is ensured by the correct selection of operating modes, which involves choosing the most selective reagents and determining their optimal consumption. The conducted research, presented in the journal Mining Science and Technology, allowed to find a new methodological approach to the study of ore flotation beneficiation using ionometry methods. The data obtained from ion-selective sensors significantly deepen our insight into the transformations occurring during the flotation process and allow for consideration of possible adverse factors that hinder effective process progression. A universal flowchart for flotation studies with ion-selective sensors has been developed, facilitating the application of this approach to various ores. The implementation of the results from this comparative analysis has led to a 7.8% increase in beneficiation efficiency while reducing reagent consumption. Additionally, the insights gained into the electrochemical processes occurring allowed for assumptions about the adverse factors affecting flotation outcomes. In conclusion, a model for the potential application of this approach at existing enterprises was proposed, including the implementation of an “intelligent assistant” for flotation operators based on the developed electrochemical models.

For more information, see the article:

📌 Yakovleva T.A., Romashev A.O., Mashevsky G.N. Enhancing flotation beneficiation efficiency of complex ores using ionometry methods. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(2):146-157. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-08-145

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#inenglish #MST #flotation #beneficiation #ore #method #ionometry #ion #reagent #experiment #electrode #concentrate #pulp #grinding #modification #selectivity #aeration #sorption #corrosion #depression #kinetics #modeling #optimization #sensor #membrane #xanthate #sulfide #control

We present the articles of the first issue of scientific journal "Mining Science and Technology” (Russia) for 2025:

Scientists studied finely ground tailings from the flotation processing of slags at the Sredneuralsky Copper Smelter ("SUMZ technical sands"), which contain zinc (3.3–3.9%) and copper (0.4–0.5%). These wastes can serve both as a source of valuable metals and as a potential environmental hazard. The study examined the material composition of the magnetic fractions of the "technical sands" and evaluated the efficiency of wet magnetic separation for extracting valuable components. Chemical and phase analyses revealed that zinc and copper were distributed relatively evenly across the fractions, with a slight increase in copper in the non-magnetic fraction and zinc in the weakly magnetic fraction. The application of wet magnetic separation under standard conditions proved insufficiently effective, indicating the need for further research to optimize the technology. The results are important for developing new methods of processing copper smelting waste and reducing its environmental impact.

For more information, see the article:

📌 Kotelnikova А.L., Zolotova E.S. Material composition of magnetic fractions of copper-smelting slag flotation tailings. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2025;10(1):56-66. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-08-142

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#InEnglish #MST #CopperSmeltingProduction #MineralWaste #CopperSmeltingSlag #FlotationTailings #Recycling #MagneticSeparation #ThermomagneticAnalysis #MagneticFractions #MagneticProperties #Fayalite #Forsterite #Diopside #Magnetite #Sphalerite #Zincite #HeavyMetals #WasteProcessing #NonferrousMetallurgy #EnvironmentalImpact #ResourceRecovery #SlagUtilization #Geochemistry #Mineralogy #SustainableMining #TechnogenicRawMaterials #Copper #Slags #Zinc #Waste #Flotation #Separation #Magnetism #Minerals #Ecology #Processing #Research #Technologies #Utilization #Disposal #Geology

How to increase diamond recovery using froth separation?

A new study reveals innovative methods to improve the efficiency of froth separation for diamond-bearing kimberlites. Researchers have proposed solutions that could reduce diamond losses by up to 20%!

🔹 Key Findings:
1. Restoring diamond hydrophobicity by removing mineral coatings through combined treatment: thermal, ultrasonic, electrochemical, and reagent conditioning.
2. Optimal temperature regime:
- heating the feed to 85–90°C for preparation;
- conditioning at 30–40°C;
- separation at 20–24°C.
3. Collector optimization:
- adding low- and medium-molecular fractions increases collector efficiency by 16%;
- ketone additives enhance adhesion activity up to 87%.
4. Closed-loop water recycling with clarification reduces reagent consumption by 8% without compromising concentrate quality.

🔗 Read the full article:
Morozov V.V., Kovalenko E.G., Dvoychenkova G.P., Pestryak I.V., Lezova S.P. Current trends of improving the efficiency of froth separation of diamond-bearing kimberlites. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(2):134-145. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-07-136

💬 Which mineral processing technologies do you find most promising? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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#InEnglish #MST #MiningScience #Diamonds #Kimberlites #Coatings #Conditioning #Hydrophobization #Collector #FrothSeparation #Flotation #WaterRecycling #Recycling #Mining #Innovation #Technology

How to enhance flotation efficiency of complex ores using electrochemistry?

A new study proposes an innovative approach to flotation beneficiation based on direct potentiometry methods. Researchers have demonstrated that monitoring the electrochemical parameters of pulp can increase process efficiency by 7.8% while reducing reagent consumption!

🔹 Key Findings:
1. Electrochemical monitoring using ion-selective sensors (pH, Ag₂S, Pt) enables real-time determination of optimal reagent dosages.
2. Maintaining the Ag₂S electrode potential at -450 mV increased copper recovery in the concentrate to 83.1% (compared to 75.8% with conventional methods).
3. Reduced research time through automated pulp analysis and elimination of labor-intensive experiments.
4. Potential for AI integration to develop a "digital assistant" for flotation operators, capable of adapting to changes in ore composition.

🔗 Read the full article:
Yakovleva T.A., Romashev A.O., Mashevsky G.N. Enhancing flotation beneficiation efficiency of complex ores using ionometry methods. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(2):146-157. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-08-145

💬 Which technologies do you think hold the most promise for automating mineral processing? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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#InEnglish #MST #Flotation #Beneficiation #ComplexOres #Potentiometry #Ionometry #Optimization #Electrodes #Simulation #Reagents #ExperimentalDesign #pH #Ag2S #PtElectrodes #Science #Technology #Innovation