Studies on process mineralogy and separability of a weathered pegmatite type tantalum-niobium ore from Africa

Comprehensive researches on process mineralogy of a weathered pegmatite type tantalum-niobium ore from Africa were carried out, by combining internationally advanced method of mineral liberation analysis with the traditional process mineralogy study. As a result, the ore is a kind of tantalum-niobium rare metal ore. The tantalum and niobium existed as magnanotantalite-mangancolumbite and microlite account for 84.90% and 76.30%, respectively, while the lithium occurred in mica accounts for 74.34%. According to ore characteristics of partly sliming, coarser mineral grains and apparent density difference of minerals, the principle flowsheet “pre-washing, grading roughing by spiral chute, regrinding concentration used shaking table and mica flotation” was worked out, thus realized the resource comprehensive utilization.