By Dr. Anders Cassel, Sr. Specialist Mining Applications, AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry Europe

AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry develops processes for direct flotation of apatite from complex apatite ores containing dolomite, calcite and silica. The design of the collector systems can be adapted to different types of requirements like ore type, particle size distribution, regulating additives, quality of process water, etc. Direct flotation of apatite using the ANSC technology is today globally applied to improve process effectiveness and concentrate quality.

Now AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry has developed alternatives to the presently used process at the Jhamarkotra mine and concentrator in Rajasthan, India. The aim is to evaluate if a uniform direct apatite flotation flow-sheet for both the primary and secondary ore types is a possible alternative to the presently used reversed bulk flotation process for the complex primary ore type.

Amphoteric collectors for the primary ore type, and anionic collectors for the secondary, float apatite directly without de-sliming in slightly alkaline waters, producing high-grade apatite concentrates with relatively low MgO and SiO2 content. Blends of the concentrates of the primary and secondary ores have interesting potentials.