Abstract:Using technologies such as the Automatic Mineralogy Quantitative Analysis System (MLA 650), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) combined with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), a systematic process mineralogy study was conducted on a complex titanium-iron placer in Australia. The results show that due to solid solution separation and oxidative alteration of iron-titanium minerals, complex associations such as ilmenite, altered ilmenite, iron-rich ilmenite, maghemite, and titanium-rich hematite are formed. Gangue minerals are mainly quartz and feldspar, while rutile and zircon are distributed in fine grains. The main valuable elements in the ore are Ti (average grade of TiO2 is 272%) and Fe (474%), with Zr (0109%) recoverable as a by-product. The particle size of ilmenite and magnetic iron minerals is concentrated in the range of 002-032mm, while zircon (002-016mm) and rutile (001-016mms) are embedded in fine grains. The liberation degree exceeds 96% when the ore is finely ground to 0075mm. The magnetic properties of titanium-iron minerals overlap (130-550mT), requiring magnetic separation via reduction roasting modification. The research results provide a mineralogical theoretical support for the development of efficient separation processes for such complex placer deposits.
