Characterization of Magnetic Tailings from Phosphate-Ore Processing in Alto Paranaíba

Abstract

The characterization studies of tailings from mining are crucial for the development of its reuse processes and the reduction of impacts caused by its conditioning on the earth’s surface. This study characterizes the magnetic tailings from phosphate-rock processing using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and quantitative electron microscopy techniques. Samples were obtained from the magnetic tailings deposit of a mining company in the Alto Paranaíba region, Minas Gerais. The tailings are mainly composed of hematite/magnetite (74.92%), ilmenite (8.91%), fluorapatite (8.8%), anatase (3.07%), calcite (1.67%), goethite (1.62%), and quartz (1.02%). The particle size of the tailings is smaller than that specified for the production of sinter feed. The hematite/magnetite phase is strongly associated with ilmenite and fluorapatite. New stages of comminution and separation are needed due to the low degree of liberation of these minerals for a possible reuse of the components.