Effect of Intergrowth Boundaries between Mineral Species of Ferruginous Quartzite on Ore Pretreatment

Abstract

In focus is the nature of intergrowth boundaries between basic minerals (magnetite, hematite and quartz) composing ferruginous quartzite of Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. The data of investigation of intergrowth boundaries between contact minerals on nanotribometer Ti-950, dynamic nanotester TNI and micro-hardness tester PMT-3M before and after mechanical treatment are presented. The studied physical properties and structural conditions of basic minerals demonstrate diversity and complexity of intergrowth boundaries. It is found that strength of interphase boundaries and features of jointing are interrelated with their types and structure. It is shown that treatment of ferruginous quartzite simply by compression will result in generation of hard-to-dissociate aggregates, sludging of the ground material and reduction in the recovery of a target mineral in the end product. Based on the strength of contact phases, it is recommended to adjust grinding mode, or to apply efficient mechanical treatment.