The Characteristics Study of Sphalerite Tailings by Using MLA

Sphalerite tailings contains large amount of ferric sulfide and some sphalerite which need to be recoveried to further use for the utilization of resource. The characteristics study of the tailings is necessary to the treatment of tailings. Mineral Liberation Analysis(MLA) is the effective modern method to analyze the mineral properties, especially the liberation of minerals which very important to the separation of different minerals. The sample was classified to -0.045 mm, +0.045∼-0.063 mm and +0.063 mm to the MLA research. The model of mineralogy of different minerals was obtained which can easily observing the dissemination properties of minerals and the association of minerals. The particle distribution and the mineral grain distribution for three classes and the combine one were shown in figures. The liberation of pyrite, sphalerite and arsenopyrite and the relation between cumulative mass recovery and liberation class were clearly demonstrated. This information is very helpful to choose the fitful treatment technique to effectively recovery the valuable material in the tailings.