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Beneficiation of VIII Proceedings

4-29-2018 Benefication of Estonian by flotataion Kadriann Tamm University of Technology,

Indrek Piir Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia

Rein Kuusik Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia

Kaia Tõnsuaadu Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia

Follow this and additional works at: http://dc.engconfintl.org/phosphates_viii Part of the Engineering Commons

Recommended Citation Kadriann Tamm, Indrek Piir, Rein Kuusik, and Kaia Tõnsuaadu, "Benefication of Estonian phosphate ore by flotataion" in "Beneficiation of Phosphates VIII", Dr. Patrick Zhang, Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute, USA Professor Jan Miller, University of , USA Professor Laurindo Leal Filho, Vale Institute of Technology (ITV), Marius Porteus, Foskor- Division, South Africa Professor Neil Snyders, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Mr. Ewan Wingate, WorleyParsons Services Pty Ltd., Prof. Guven Akdogan, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Eds, ECI Symposium Series, (2018). http://dc.engconfintl.org/phosphates_viii/1

This Abstract and Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by the Proceedings at ECI Digital Archives. It has been accepted for inclusion in Beneficiation of Phosphates VIII by an authorized administrator of ECI Digital Archives. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BENEFICIATION OF ESTONIAN PHOSPHATE ORE BY FLOTATION Kadriann Tamm, Indrek Piir, Rein Kuusik and Kaia Tõnsuaadu Laboratory of Inorganic Materials, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia [email protected]

INTRODUCTION BENEFICIATION OF ESTONIAN PHOSPHATE Active mining phosphate operation in European Union (EU) is in Finland Estonian phosphorite is principally a siliceous phosphorite ore.

Siilinjärvi with limited resources [1]. In this context it is important that Certain data currently existing in the field of beneficiation of Estonian Estonia holds the largest unused sedimentary phosphate rock reserve phosphorite rocks was generated and collected by research institutions

(about 800 Mt P2O5 [2]) in EU. Estonian phosphate is a of the former in the period of about 40 years ago.

(Figure 1) composed of variegated that contains abundant The full-scale flotation plant operated in (Figure 2) using remains of phosphatic brachiopod shells [3]. Phosphate enriched beds Swedish cationic flotoreagents (Figure 3) during some years in 1970-ies occur stratigraphically at the transition between Cambrian and [5]. The concentrate was used in the second stage of triple Ordovician and the phosphatic belong to superphosphate production in .

formation. Crushed ore

-20 mm 9% P2O5 The flow conditions in the fluid bed Grinding and wet-screening apparatus: -5 mm +5 mm • Temp. >10…12 ˚C; Slime removal • Air flow 0,8…1,2 m3/min.; +44 μm -44 μm • Time 15…17 min.; Figure 1. Tremadocian shelly phosphorite coquina. Photo: H. Bauert • Chamber line 5…6; Screening • Solid feed 25…28%. +1 mm -1 mm The biogenic phosphate is dominated by carbonate- mineral Collector Foam product Quartz separation 92…96%. phase (Table 1). The P2O5 content of the sandstone beds is quite low Flotation The yield of phosphorous flour 65%.

varying between 6…20%. However, the brachiopod shells and detritus Concentrate 27,8 % P2O5 Residue 4% P2O5 contain up to 35…37% of P O , the content of U and Cd is quite low in 2 5 Figure 3. The scheme of Maardu flotation plant [5]. ore (~20 and <3 ppm, respectively) and sandstone is weakly cemented The application of the wet acid process for Estonian phosphorite is that allows rather efficient enrichment of the phosphate ore [2,4]. originated from laboratory scale investigations at TTÜ in the period of Table 1. Average mineral and chemical composition of Estonian phosphate. 1978-1985. Mineral composition, wt% Chemical composition, wt% CONCLUSION : 29,3 ore shells Estonia have: in shells 28,3 P2O5 12,70 33,97 • noticeable resources of natural phosphates; in quartz beads 1,0 CaO 18,12 47,38 • earlier experience of industrial-level mining, enrichment and Carbonates 1,5 MgO 0,76 0,46 1,3 F 1,01 2,64 processing of phosphorites; Hydrogoethite 0,6 SiO2 55,3 2,49 • large experience of lab-scale chemical, physical and technological Glauconite 0,3 Al2O3 2,32 0,26 characterization of prosphorite concentrates; Clay minerals 1,7 Fe2O3 2,52 1,67 Quartz 64,5 • new activities in this field have been initiated on the state level. CO2 1,74 3,39 Despite of its economical and, perhaps, political importance, Estonian REFERENCES [1] Veiderma, M. and Tõnsuaadu, K., Thermophosphate from Siilinjärvi apatite. Helsinki: Academy of Sciences phosphate rock is currently not mined or explored due to concerns over of the Estonian SSR, 1996. [2] Noholt, A.J., Sheldon R. P. and Davidson D. F., Phosphate deposits of the world Volume 2, Cambridge University the ecological impact of phosphate rock mining. The main concern is on Press, 2005. [3] Raudsep, R., Ordovician. Pakerort Stage. Ceratopyge Stage. Tallinn: Geology and mineral resources of the the environmental effects of the rock mining in the inhabited area with phosphorite-bearing area. Ed: Puura, V., 1987, pp. 29-39. [4] Kuusik, R. Preconditions for the processing of Estonian , 2014. [5] Tatarskii, A.E., Podvigin, M.A., Shuvalova, N.K., Suhanova, V.G., Gubanov, A.F., Introduction of new technology in the numerous settlements and intensive agricultural use. enrichment of Maardu phosphorous, Obogachcenie rud, 1982, 1, pp. 12-13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was supported by the Estonian Research Council grant (PUTJD705) by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research grant LEP17096 (RITA1/01-01-11). In addition, this research was financially supported the Geological Survey of Estonia which are gratefully acknowledged.

Figure 2. The abandoned Maardu chemical factory. Photo: Google street view 2016

RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2015 Beneficiationwww.PosterPresentations.com of Phosphates VIII; An ECI Conference Series; April 29-May 4, 2018; Century City Conference Center; Cape Town, South Africa