Enhancing froth flotation performance of iron oxide apatite ore tailings through synergistic utilization of organosolv lignin particles and tall oil fatty acid-based collector

Abstract

Beneficiation of the tailings from Iron Oxide Apatite (IOA) ore has become an important topic in the field of mineral processing as phosphate rock is considered as critical raw material by the European Union. Driven by the strong call for sustainability and green technology, this paper introduces the application of novel and bio-based organosolv lignin particles (OLP) as a reagent for apatite flotation. In the artificial mineral mixture flotation tests, OLP addition or replacement to tall oil fatty acid-based collector (TOFA) was shown to improve flotation kinetics and recovery. In this study, it was demonstrated that one of the widely used commercial TOFA collectors could be replaced with OLP by 70 %. The replacement led to an increase in recovery (+2%) and only a minimal decrease in P grade (−0.3 %) for the rougher-cleaner flotation tests in one of the two feed types tested. The influence of OLP and other reagents on apatite floatability has been investigated through Hallimond tube tests and laboratory scale batch flotation tests as well as zeta potential measurements and spectroscopy tests to further understand the possible mechanism and synergism of reagents in the apatite flotation system.