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Heavy Mineral Sands in Brazil: Deposits, Characteristics, and Extraction Potential of Selected Areas

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Heavy Mineral Sands in Brazil: Deposits, Characteristics, and Extraction Potential of Selected Areas minerals Case Report Heavy Mineral Sands in Brazil: Deposits, Characteristics, and Extraction Potential of Selected Areas Caroline C. Gonçalves and Paulo F. A. Braga * Centre for Mineral Technology (CETEM), Av. Pedro Calmon 900, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-908, Brazil; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +55-21-3865-7222 Received: 15 January 2019; Accepted: 6 March 2019; Published: 13 March 2019 Abstract: In Brazil, heavy mineral sand deposits are still barely exploited, despite some references to Brazilian reserves and ilmenite concentrate production. The goal of this project is to characterize and investigate the potential recovery of heavy minerals from selected Brazilian placer occurrences. Two areas of the coastal region were chosen, in Piaui state and in Bahia Provinces. In all samples, the heavy minerals of interest (ilmenite, monazite, rutile, and zircon) were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques and also quantified by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The total heavy minerals (THM) in the Piaui samples were 6.45% and 10.14% THM, while the figure for the Bahia sample was 3.4% THM. The recovery test of the Bahia sample, using only physical separation equipment such as a shaking table and magnetic separator, showed valuable metallurgical recoveries at around or greater than 70% for each stage, and the final concentrate of pure ilmenite was composed of up to 60.0% titanium dioxide after the differential magnetic separation. Another aim is to compile accessible information about Brazilian heavy mineral main deposits complemented with a short economic overview. Keywords: heavy mineral sands; Brazilian occurrences; SEM analysis; XRF analysis 1. Introduction Although Brazil is considered the biggest producer of titanium dioxide in Latin America [1,2], mostly from ilmenite, studies about heavy minerals in the national territory are still scarce, limiting exploration works. The constant reference to heavy minerals such as ilmenite, zircon, and rutile as byproducts of rare earth element (REE) deposits, reveals the lack of information or a consolidated database about Brazilian heavy mineral sand deposits. The mention of defunct institutions as producers, and inaccurate grade-tonnage calculations of heavy mineral sands in international publications are common mistakes due to dispersed and hard-to-access information. Research aiming to identify new target areas and to compile accessible data seems to be a necessary step to plan future projects, considering the relevance of heavy mineral deposits in the international market. In fact, heavy mineral sands are different than other commodities in terms of exploration, development, mining, and processing, but similar in the matter of importance to industry due to their relevant physical properties [3]. Heavy mineral sand deposits are generally voluminous and near to the surface, facilitating simple exploration techniques and open cast excavation [4]. Moreover, heavy mineral processing plants are currently well-established and highly mechanized, with considerable separation efficiency [4]. Usually, heavy minerals from beach sands are concentrated by physical methods, first involving gravity separation, followed by the combination of magnetic and electrostatic Minerals 2019, 9, 176; doi:10.3390/min9030176 www.mdpi.com/journal/minerals Minerals 2019, 9, 176 2 of 15 Minerals 2019 2 of 15 ofseparation magnetic [ 5and–8]. electrostatic Flotation is alsoseparation used [9 ,[510–],8]. often Flotation as a subsequent is also used and/or [9,10], complementary often as a subsequent stage, in and/oran effort complementary to achieve a cleaner stage, productin an effort [11 ].to achieve a cleaner product [11]. Globally,Globally, the the leading leading producer producer of of heavy heavy minerals minerals is is Australia Australia followed followed by by South South Africa Africa [12]. [12]. TheThe massive massive Australian Australian participation participation in in the the international international market market has has been been consolidated consolidated since since the the 1960s1960s [11]. [11]. Furthermore, Furthermore, according according to to Gosen Gosen et et al. al. (2016) (2016) [4], [4], Chi Chinana had had the the biggest biggest production production of of ilmeniteilmenite concentrate concentrate in in 2014. 2014. In In Brazil, Brazil, however, however, the the deposits deposits of of heavy heavy mineral mineral sands sands are are largely largely not not exploited,exploited, with with the the only only active active operation operation being being the the Guaju Guaju mine mine (Cristal (Cristal Group) Group) located located in in Paraiba Paraiba Province.Province. The The main main mine mineralsrals processed processed from from that that mine mine are are ilmenite, ilmenite, rutile, rutile, zircon zircon,, and and kyanite. kyanite. Likewise,Likewise, the companycompany Industrias Industrias Nucleares Nucleares do Brasildo Brasil (INB), (INB), in Rio in de Rio Janeiro de Janeiro Province, Province, still produces still producesilmenite, ilmenite, zircon, rutile, zircon, and rutile monazite, and monazite concentrates concentrates for sale as for is. sale as is. TheThe importan importancece of of coastal coastal heavy heavy mineral mineral deposits deposits as as sources sources of of rutile, rutile, ilmenite ilmenite,, and and zircon zircon for for industry,industry, and and their their worldwide worldwide uses uses,, have have always always been been mentioned mentioned [13]. [13 These]. These deposits deposits are area source a source of titaniumof titanium and and zirconium zirconium [4] as [4 ]well as well as rare as rare earth earth elements elements (REE (REEs),s), and andare areoften often overlooked overlooked [14]. [ 14In]. Brazil,In Brazil, some some found found occurrences occurrences of monazite of monazite and its and secondary its secondary products products (ilmenite, (ilmenite, zircon, zircon,and rutile) and arerutile) along are the along coastline the coastline [15,16], [15 and,16], most and most studies studies have have been been specifically specifically developed developed to to fi findnd REE REE depositsdeposits (Figure(Figure1 ).1). Practically Practically all all of themof them are locatedare located in the in southeast the southeast region asregion described as described in Louwerse in Louwerse(2016) [17 ].(2016) [17]. FigureFigure 1. 1. RareRare earth earth elements elements ( (REEs)-bearingREEs)-bearing mineral mineral occurrences occurrences along along the the Brazilian Brazilian coastline coastline and and areasareas licensed licensed by by the the National National Department Department of of Mineral Mineral Production Production (DNPM) (DNPM) for for extraction extraction of of REE REEs.s. AdaptedAdapted from from [15,16]. [15,16]. AsAs cited cited by CETEMCETEM (2014)(2014) [ 18[18],], the the presence presence of surfaceof surface and and submerged submerged deposits deposits of ilmenite, of ilmenite, rutile, rutile,zircon, zircon and, monazite and monazite is along is along nearly nearly the entire the entire Brazilian Brazilian littoral, littoral, from from Para Para to Rio to Rio Grande Grande do Sul.do Sul.In these In these regions, regions, including including the northern the northern portion, otherportion, profitable other placerprofitable deposits placer of heavydeposits mineral of heavy sands mineralare/were sands being are/were exploited, being like in exploited, Sao Francisco like de in Itabapoana Sao Francisco (Rio dede Janeiro), Itabapoana Mataraca (Rio (Paraiba),de Janeiro), and MataracaPrado (Bahia). (Paraiba), However, and Prado according (Bahia). to Krishnamurthy However, according and Gupta to Kr (2016)ishnamurthy [19], mineral and sand Gupta mining (2016) in [Brazil19], mineral is oriented sand to mining the thorium in Brazil content is oriented of monazite, to the inthorium contrast content with other of monazite, countries, in where contrast monazite with otheris a secondary countries, product where monazite rather than is ilmenite,a secondary rutile, product and zircon. rather In than fact, ilmenite, in the past, rutile exploration, and zircon. efforts In fact,for findingin the past, monazite explora depositstion eff wereorts for connected finding withmonazite the intention deposits of were producing connected REE with oxides the for intention nuclear ofpurposes producing [18 ].REE INB oxides for instance, for nuclear which purposes has mined [18 and]. INB processed for instance, heavy mineralswhich has in themined northern and processedcoastal region heavy of minerals Rio de Janeiro, in the isnorthern recognized coastal for itsregion monazite of Rio sand de deposits.Janeiro, is The recognized Heavy Minerals for its monaziteUnit of Buena sand isdeposits. the most The relevant Heavy plant Minerals for monazite Unit of Buena concentration, is the most but relevant has been plant decommissioned. for monazite concentrationNowadays, monazite, but has concentratesbeen decommissioned. come from oldNowadays, mining activitiesmonazite and concentrates will likely become produced from old for miningtwo or activities three more and years. will likely be produced for two or three more years. The production of titanium dioxide in Brazil started in 1971, and at present, heavy minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, kyanite, and zircon [20,21] are extracted at the Guaju mine
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