An approach to mineral processing by liberation modelling of Tantalum ore

摘要

The presented model is an approach to mineral processing on basis of particle size population and its grade distribution. In this study a Ta, Sn ore from the Penouta mine in Spain, was characterized and the results were applied to establish a liberation modelling with aid of simulation platform, and the model parameters were found using MATLAB techniques. The mineralogy was obtained by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe and mineral liberation analysis (MLA). In addition, MLA contributed to determine the grain size, texture of minerals and the liberated particle population. Tantalum is hosted in a granite rock with 80-150 ppm of Ta. The model represents a perfect combination of liberated ore, mixed and gangue particles. The liberated Ta-rich particles are smaller than 200 urn with a grade of more than 70%. The final results show that the function equation model is capable of describing and predicting the liberation of particles as size changes.