Recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation:process optimization and mineralogical study

Rui-min Jiao; Peng Xing; Cheng-yan Wang; Bao-zhong Ma; Yong-Qiang Chen

doi:10.1007/s12613-017-1485-3

Volume 24 Issue 9

Sep. 2017

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2017 > 24(9): 974-982

Rui-min Jiao, Peng Xing, Cheng-yan Wang, Bao-zhong Ma, and Yong-Qiang Chen, Recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation:process optimization and mineralogical study, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 24(2017), No. 9, pp. 974-982. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1485-3

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Rui-min Jiao, Peng Xing, Cheng-yan Wang, Bao-zhong Ma, and Yong-Qiang Chen, Recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation:process optimization and mineralogical study, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 24(2017), No. 9, pp. 974-982. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1485-3

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Recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation:process optimization and mineralogical study

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Corresponding authors:
Cheng-yan Wang E-mail: chywang@yeah.net

Yong-Qiang Chen E-mail: chyq0707@sina.com
Received: 6 April 2017; Revised: 5 May 2017; Accepted: 31 May 2017

Abstract

Abstract

Currently, the majority of copper tailings are not effectively developed. Worldwide, large amounts of copper tailings generated from copper production are continuously dumped, posing a potential environmental threat. Herein, the recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation was conducted; process optimization was carried out, and the corresponding mineralogy was investigated. The reduction time, reduction temperature, reducing agent (coal), calcium chloride additive, grinding time, and magnetic field intensity were examined for process optimization. Mineralogical analyses of the sample, reduced pellets, and magnetic concentrate under various conditions were performed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry to elucidate the iron reduction and growth mechanisms. The results indicated that the optimum parameters of iron recovery include a reduction temperature of 1150℃, a reduction time of 120 min, a coal dosage of 25%, a calcium chloride dosage of 2.5%, a magnetic field intensity of 100 mT, and a grinding time of 1 min. Under these conditions, the iron grade in the magnetic concentrate was greater than 90%, with an iron recovery ratio greater than 95%.
- copper tailings;
- iron;
- direct reduction;
- magnetic separation;
- recovery;
- process optimization

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References

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