Characterization and beneficiation of low grade Nb AND Ta ore from Kibara belt
- Mutombo, David, Nheta, Willie
- Authors: Mutombo, David , Nheta, Willie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Niobium , Tantalum , Flotation
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/239075 , uj:24552 , Citation: Mutombo, D. & Nheta, W. 2017. Characterization and beneficiation of low grade Nb AND Ta ore from Kibara belt.
- Description: Abstract: Due to their chemical, physical and mechanical properties, niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) are strategically used in various technical applications. About 130 different minerals contain tantalum and niobium, of which only about 80 are found in economical deposits. The remainder contains Nb and Ta as impurities. The most commercialised source of Nb and Ta is a columbite-tantalite ore often referred to as coltan containing pyrochlorite. The Central African Mesoproterozoic Kibara belt in Katanga (Democratic Republic of Congo) forms a metallogenic province that hosts a variety of granite-related mineralization, rich in cassiterite, columbite–tantalite, wolframite/ferberite, spodumene and beryl. This study focuses on the characterization of Nb/Ta ores from the Kibara belt by using the XRF, SEM/EDS, XRD and ICP-OES. It was observed that Nb/Ta ore that occurs in this belt has a high Nb/Ta ratio. The grade of the ore is 0.01wt% Ta and 0.04wt% Nb. The major minerals phases are Tapiolite, Tantalite, Simpsonite, Pyrochlore and Ilmenorutile. The major gangue minerals present locking Nb/Ta are silica, feldspars with small amounts of mica and quartz. The size of the particles containing Nb/Ta are 8-12microns. Basing on these results, flotation is proposed at as the suitable way of concentrating this ore.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutombo, David , Nheta, Willie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Niobium , Tantalum , Flotation
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/239075 , uj:24552 , Citation: Mutombo, D. & Nheta, W. 2017. Characterization and beneficiation of low grade Nb AND Ta ore from Kibara belt.
- Description: Abstract: Due to their chemical, physical and mechanical properties, niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) are strategically used in various technical applications. About 130 different minerals contain tantalum and niobium, of which only about 80 are found in economical deposits. The remainder contains Nb and Ta as impurities. The most commercialised source of Nb and Ta is a columbite-tantalite ore often referred to as coltan containing pyrochlorite. The Central African Mesoproterozoic Kibara belt in Katanga (Democratic Republic of Congo) forms a metallogenic province that hosts a variety of granite-related mineralization, rich in cassiterite, columbite–tantalite, wolframite/ferberite, spodumene and beryl. This study focuses on the characterization of Nb/Ta ores from the Kibara belt by using the XRF, SEM/EDS, XRD and ICP-OES. It was observed that Nb/Ta ore that occurs in this belt has a high Nb/Ta ratio. The grade of the ore is 0.01wt% Ta and 0.04wt% Nb. The major minerals phases are Tapiolite, Tantalite, Simpsonite, Pyrochlore and Ilmenorutile. The major gangue minerals present locking Nb/Ta are silica, feldspars with small amounts of mica and quartz. The size of the particles containing Nb/Ta are 8-12microns. Basing on these results, flotation is proposed at as the suitable way of concentrating this ore.
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The impact of microwave pre-treatment on the liberation of Nb/Ta minerals from a Tin oxide ore
- Mutombo, David, Nheta, Willie, Kalenga, Michel
- Authors: Mutombo, David , Nheta, Willie , Kalenga, Michel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cassiterite , Microwave pre-treatment , Niobium
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/280992 , uj:30222 , Citation: Mutombo, D., Nheta, W. & Kalenga, M. 2018. The impact of microwave pre-treatment on the liberation of Nb/Ta minerals from a Tin oxide ore.
- Description: Abstract: Liberation of Nb/Ta minerals from Cassiterite ore during comminution is difficult. Microwave pre-treatment of cassiterite ore using batch multiple mode microwave was done. The ore was characterised and effects of various parameters affecting the liberation of Nb/Ta minerals were investigated. It was found that the ore contains 76. 1%wt of SnO2 and traces of Nb2O5 (0.62% wt) and Ta2O5 (0.81% wt). The major phases in the cassiterite ore after pre-treatment were Pyrochlore, Cassiterite, Sillimanite, Ferrotapiolite, Niobium Tantalum, Niobium Titanium, Iron Tin, Niobium Tin, Iron Tantalum and Niobium tin silicide. The ore displayed a significant liberation of the Nb and Ta minerals at 100% irradiation and a high temperature of 540 ̊C was achieved. Significant phase changes were observed from the SEM/EDS and the Mapping of the distribution of the Nb/Ta minerals showed that there was an improvement in the liberation of these minerals. It is concluded that the use of microwaves brings changes in the matrix pattern of the Cassiterite ore, favouring the liberation of microwave susceptible mineral phases.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutombo, David , Nheta, Willie , Kalenga, Michel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cassiterite , Microwave pre-treatment , Niobium
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/280992 , uj:30222 , Citation: Mutombo, D., Nheta, W. & Kalenga, M. 2018. The impact of microwave pre-treatment on the liberation of Nb/Ta minerals from a Tin oxide ore.
- Description: Abstract: Liberation of Nb/Ta minerals from Cassiterite ore during comminution is difficult. Microwave pre-treatment of cassiterite ore using batch multiple mode microwave was done. The ore was characterised and effects of various parameters affecting the liberation of Nb/Ta minerals were investigated. It was found that the ore contains 76. 1%wt of SnO2 and traces of Nb2O5 (0.62% wt) and Ta2O5 (0.81% wt). The major phases in the cassiterite ore after pre-treatment were Pyrochlore, Cassiterite, Sillimanite, Ferrotapiolite, Niobium Tantalum, Niobium Titanium, Iron Tin, Niobium Tin, Iron Tantalum and Niobium tin silicide. The ore displayed a significant liberation of the Nb and Ta minerals at 100% irradiation and a high temperature of 540 ̊C was achieved. Significant phase changes were observed from the SEM/EDS and the Mapping of the distribution of the Nb/Ta minerals showed that there was an improvement in the liberation of these minerals. It is concluded that the use of microwaves brings changes in the matrix pattern of the Cassiterite ore, favouring the liberation of microwave susceptible mineral phases.
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