– 22 –

Flotation of Niobium

22.1 INTRODUCTION

Niobium minerals, especially columbite, are also associated with other valuable minerals,
such as tantalum, zircon and rare earth minerals. Pyrochlore and a mixture of pyrochlore
and columbite have different origins, and therefore, beneficiation of pyrochlore and
columbite are different from that of the mixed tantalum niobium ores. In actual plant
practice, the treatment process is significantly different from that used for mixed niobium
tantalum ores. This is due to the fact that the beneficiation process is largely determined by
the nature of gangue minerals present in the ore. In most cases, the beneficiation process
applicable for pyrochlore ore cannot be successfully applied for beneficiation of tantalum/
niobium ores.

22.2 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF PYROCHLORE-CONTAINING ORES

There are two major types of pyrochlore-containing ores: pegmatite ores and carbonatites.
This classification is based on the mineral composition of these ore types. The main waste
minerals contained in the pegmatite ores include quartz and nepheline. This ore type also
includes granites, where pyrochlore is represented in a coarse crystalline form. Granites are
composed of cryolite and topaz as the main gangue minerals.
Carbonatite ores are mainly composed of calcite, dolomite and phosphates as the main
gangue minerals. The beneficiation process for pegmatites containing pyrochlore mostly
includes gravity preconcentration. Such deposits are common in Africa (Kongo,
Madagascar).
The major minerals contained in pyrochlore-containing ores are pyrochlore, columbite
and sometimes ilmenorutile to a lesser extent. Table 22.1 shows pyrochlore minerals
present in pegmatite and carbonatite ores.
The gangue composition of the various carbonatite ores varies considerably. Calcite–
dolomite content in some ores ranges from 30% (Niobec, Canada) up to 70% (Panda Hills,
Africa). From a mineralogical point of view, pyrochlore usually occurs in crystallized form,
as well as octahedron form. Pyrochlore occurs in considerable range of colours, varying
from translucent white to opaque black appearance with glassy surfaces. The Nb2O5

111
112 22. Flotation of Niobium

Table 22.1

Pyrochlore minerals contained in pegmatite and carbonatite ores

Mineral Formula Assays (%) Specific gravity Hardness

Nb2O5 Ta2O5

Pyrochlore (NaCa)2Nb2O6F 38–65 0–5.8 4.1–5.4 5.0–5.5

Columbite (FeMn)Nb2O6 23–77 1–40.0 5.3–6.6 6.0–6.5
Ilmenorutile (Ti,Nb,Fe)O2 0.3–6.6 60–72 5.94 7.0

content of pyrochlore crystals is dependent on the amount of Na/Ca content and can range
from 38% to 65% Nb2O5.
It has been established that the colour of pyrochlore plays an important role in the
floatability of pyrochlore.

22.3 FLOTATION PROPERTIES OF PYROCHLORE

The treatment process and flotation properties of pyrochlore are very much dependent on
the gangue composition of the ore. The selective flotation of pyrochlore from carbonatite
ore is not possible since calcite and dolomite have similar flotation properties as pyro­
chlore. In addition, in the presence of carbonates, the stable pH required for flotation of
pyrochlore (i.e. 5.0–5.5) cannot be maintained.
In the case of carbonatite ores, a beneficiation process involves preflotation followed by
reactivation and flotation of pyrochlore. In the case of pegmatitic ores that contain silicates,
biotite, albite and limonite, as the gangue minerals, direct flotation of pyrochlore can be
achieved with a variety of different collectors.

22.3.1 Flotation of pyrochlore from carbonatite ores

The successful flotation of pyrochlore from carbonatite ores depends on a number of

factors:

• efficiency of removal of calcite and dolomite before pyrochlore flotation

• type of pretreatment of calcite–dolomite tailing before pyrochlore flotation
• type of pyrochlore collectors.

The calcite/dolomite in actual practice is recovered using fatty acid as a collector and
starch or dextrin as the pyrochlore depressant during calcite–dolomite flotation.
A number of studies have been conducted [1,2] in which different fatty acid modifica­
tions were examined. High selectivity and high calcite–dolomite recoveries were obtained
with emulsified fatty acid with soda ash and sodium silicate. Table 22.2 shows the results
from calcite/dolomite flotation using different fatty acid type collectors and various
modifications.
22.3 Flotation Properties of Pyrochlore 113

Table 22.2

Effect of different fatty acids and various modifications on calcite–dolomite recovery

from carbonatite ores

Calcite–dolomite Recovery (%) Nb2O5 depressant used during % Nb2O5 in calcite Flotation
collectors CaO flotation concentrate pH

CaO MgO
Oleic acid 65 58 Caustic corn starch 10.0 8.5
Tall oil fatty acid 70 62 Caustic corn starch 8.4 8.0
Emulsified tall 72 66 Caustic corn starch 7.5 8.2
oil
EMF1a 88 80 Caustic corn starch 4.6 8.5
EMF2b 89 85 Caustic corn starch 4.2 8.3
a
Tall oil / Na2CO3 / Na2SiO3 = 60:20:20.
b
Tall oil / Na2CO3 / Na2SiO3 = 65:15:20.

The best results were achieved using fatty acid emulsified with soda ash and sodium
silicate.
The effectiveness of emulsified fatty acid EMF2 was dependent on flotation pH. Figure 22.1
illustrates the effect of pH on calcite–dolomite recovery using 400 g/t collector EMF2.
In actual plant practice, by removing the calcite–dolomite, the pyrochlore in the flotation
feed is significantly upgraded. In some ores, which assay 0.4% Nb2O5 in the feed after
calcite–dolomite preflotation, the pyrochlore assays in the pyrochlore flotation feed is over
1.2% Nb2O5.

100

CaO

80

MgO
Recovery (%)

60

40

20

0
7 8 9 10 11
Flotation pH

Figure 22.1 Effect of pH on calcite–dolomite recovery from carbonatite ores.

114 22. Flotation of Niobium

100

80

Niobium recovery (%)

60

HCl

40

HNO3 H2SO4

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Niobium concentrate grade (%Nb2O5)

Figure 22.2 Effect of type of acid used in the pretreatment of pyrochlore flotation feed on the
grade–recovery relationship.

The calcite flotation tailing in most cases is pretreated before niobium flotation. The
pretreatment reagents used include acids, such as sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid.
Studies conducted on carbonate flotation tailing on the Orca (Canada) ore [3] showed that
the use of hydrochloric acid in the pretreatment stage improved niobium metallurgy
significantly. Sulphuric and nitric acids were less effective. Figure 22.2 shows the grade–
recovery relationship using different acids in the pretreatment stage. In each experiment,
about 1000 g/t of acid was used in the pretreatment stage. A conditioning time of 15 min
was maintained. The use of acid in the pretreatment stage also improves removal of residual
fatty acid.

Choice of modifiers and depressants

In the majority of cases, oxalic acid has been proven to be a selective gangue depressant
during pyrochlore flotation. Fluorosilicic acid or hydrofluoric acid have been used in a
number of operating plants as secondary gangue depressants. In fact, HF has been replaced
with fluorosilicic acid. The effect of level of oxalic acid and fluorosilicic acid on pyrochlore
flotation is presented in Table 22.3. The results showed that higher additions of oxalic acid
improved both pyrochlore grade and recovery. Higher additions of fluorosilicic acid have a
negative effect on pyrochlore recovery.
The effect of sodium hexametaphosphate (Calgon, Canada and USA) and sodium
pyrophosphate on pyrochlore flotation has been investigated [4]. Small addition of Calgon
(50 g/t) was found to have a beneficial effect on depressing the gangue minerals, including
aegirine, whilst nearly doubling the niobium content of the froth product.
 22.3
Flotation Properties of Pyrochlore
Table 22.3

Effect of level of oxalic acid on pyrochlore metallurgical results

Reagent additions (g/t) Feed (% Nb2O5) Rougher concentrate Cleaner concentrate

Oxalic acid H2SiF6 Grade (% Nb2O5) Recovery (% Nb2O5) Grade (% Nb2O5) Recovery (% Nb2O5)

300 200 0.85 5.8 70.2 50.2 61.3

500 200 0.83 6.7 75.4 52.3 66.5
700 200 0.85 8.5 78.8 55.6 69.6
700 300 0.89 9.3 75.6 57.4 65.4
700 400 0.85 8.3 70.3 57.2 60.0
700 500 0.86 8.5 66.6 58.1 55.2

115
116 22. Flotation of Niobium

Sodium silicate has a strong depressing effect on pyrochlore, and it is sometimes used
during calcite flotation. Sodium silicate hydrosol is prepared by reacting ferric chloride and
silicate, followed by acidification of the mixture, which has a positive effect on selectivity.
The addition of small quantities of hydrosol (100 g/t) resulted in significant improvement in
concentrate grade.
Extensive studies have been carried out using orthodihydroxybenzene, known as cate­
chol (commercial name). This reagent has improved the rate of fine pyrochlore flotation
and also has a beneficial effect on selectivity. Research work with this reagent was
conducted on carbonatite ore from Canada.

Collector choice
In the majority of cases, amines are used as pyrochlore collectors during treatment of
carbonatite ores. Aliphatic mono amines, aliphatic diamines, condesates of capritic acid and
partially neutralized diamines are the principal collectors for pyrochlore. Tallow diamine
acetate (Duomac T, Akzo Nobel, USA and Canada) is also used as a pyrochlore collector.
The effect of different amine collectors has been examined on Niobec ore from Canada
through development testwork [5]. Table 22.4 shows the results from the laboratory
continuous locked-cycle tests conducted using different amine collectors manufactured
by Akzo Nobel, USA, Canada – Clariant, Germany.
Depressants used in these experiments include oxalic acid and fluorosilicic acid.
The use of quinolines [7] were examined with the addition of fuel oil as co-collector.
According to the data provided (Table 22.5), quinolines are effective pyrochlore flotation
collectors. The number of carbons in the quinoline structure determines the grade and
recovery of pyrochlore.
Quinolines have not found industrial application due to the cost of these reagents.

22.3.2 Flotation of pyrochlore from pegmatitic ores

Pegmatite-containing niobium ores can be relatively complex and may contain biotite,
enargite, albite, feldspar and ziron as the main gangue minerals. Some pegmatite ores
(Araxa, Brazil) have a simple gangue composition, consisting mainly of quartz.

Table 22.4

Effect of different amines on pyrochlore flotation from St. Honore Niobec ore

Collector Manufacturer Head (% Nb2O5) Final Nb2O5 concentrate

Assays (%) % Distribution

Duomac T Akzo Nobel 0.92 54.3 66.4

Duomac T/Ethofat C25 Akzo Nobel 0.90 55.4 68.0
CES 109 Akzo Nobel 0.89 57.4 72.0
CES 109/Duomac T Akzo Nobel 0.90 56.6 75.4
TAP 100 Clariant 0.91 50.0 70.2
22.3 Flotation Properties of Pyrochlore 117

Table 22.5

Metallurgical results obtained with different quinolines

Collector Oil Head (% Nb2O5) Final Nb2O5 concentrate

Assays (%) % Distribution

8-Quinolinol Furnace oil 1.3 10.36 86.0

2-Methyl 8-quinolinol Burner oil 1.3 9.21 85.5
4-Methyl 8-quinolinol Burner oil 1.3 19.3 80.4
6-Methyl 8-quinolinol Burner oil 1.3 5.59 90.2

Research work carried out at the Mechanobre Institute in Russia involved the evaluation
of cationic and anionic collectors [8]. The anionic collectors examined included sodium
oleate and sodium alkyl sulphate. The results obtained indicated that with the use of sodium
oleate, both zircon and pyrochlore can be floated with good recoveries (Figure 22.3).
Flotation of pyrochlore using sodium alkyl sulphate is dependent on flotation pH. At a
pH above 5.5, no pyrochlore flotation is achieved. At this pH, microcline, limonite and
aegirine were floated. It appears that the use of alkyl sulphate at slightly acidic to alkaline
pH number of gangue minerals can be selectively floated from pyrochlore. At a pH
between 1.5 and 3.0, alkyl sulphate floats pyrochlore and zircon, whereas floatability of
limonite, microline and aegirine is greatly reduced (Figure 22.4).

100
Zircon

Niobium
80

Albite
Recovery (%)

60
Biotite

40

20

0
0 40 80 120 160 200
Sodium oleate additions (g/t)

Figure 22.3 Effect of sodium oleate on flotation of niobium from pegmatite ores.
118 22. Flotation of Niobium

100

Zircon
80
Recovery (%)

60
Niobium

40

Biotite
20

Microcline
0
0 100 200 300 400 500
Na-alkyl sulphate additions (g/t)

Figure 22.4 Effect of sodium alkyl sulphate on flotation of minerals from pegmatite ores at a pH
of 1.4.

Using cationic flotation (C-14 amine and amine hydrochloride) method, no selectivity
between pyrochlore and gangue minerals is achieved. Amine flotation, therefore, cannot be
successfully applied for flotation of pyrochlore.
In recent years, new technology has been developed for beneficiation of niobium from
pegmatitic ores that contain nepheline, feldspar, fluorite and aluminosilicates [9]. A line of
new collectors, known as the PLV and PM series, was developed that is highly selective for
pyrochlore–zircon flotation from pegmatite ores. Collectors from the PLV series are
mixtures of alkyl sulphosuccinamate and ester phosphates modified with sodium alkylsul­
phate. Collector PLV28 was successfully developed for the beneficiation of niobium zircon
from feldspar-containing ores. The reagent scheme developed for the beneficiation of this
ore is shown in Table 22.6 and the metallurgical results in Table 22.7. Good feldspar
depression was achieved using oxalic acid and magnesium fluorosilicate. Small additions
of a low-molecular-weight acrylic acid improved concentrate grade.
Separation of pyrochlore and zircon from the bulk concentrate was possible. The
separation method is discussed in Chapter 23.
Collectors from the PM series were specifically developed for beneficiation of niobium
ores that contain nepheline/cyanite as the major gangue minerals. The collector is com­
posed of a mixture of phosphate ester collector (SM15, Clariant) and phosphonic acid
treated with octanol. From an ore that assays 0.5% Nb2O5, a concentrate grade of 49%
Nb2O5 at a recovery of 73% was achieved.
22.4 Refractory Niobium Ores 119

Table 22.6

Reagent scheme developed for beneficiation of niobium from feldspar-containing pegmatite ores.

Reagents Additions (g/t) pH

Roughers Cleaners

Depressants and modifiers

Oxalic acid 700–900 200–300 4.5
Magnesium fluorosilicate 300–400 150–200
Accumer 9400 150 100–200
Collectors
PLV28 80 150
Diesel fuel 150–200 50

Table 22.7

Metallurgical results obtained on feldspar-containing niobium ores from the Kanyaka

deposit in Africa

Product Weight (%) Assays (%) % Distribution

Nb2O5 ZrO2 Nb2O5 ZrO2

Bulk Nb/Zr cleaner concentrate 2.85 20.5 25.6 83.5 83.9

Bulk Nb/Zr tailing 86.25 0.07 0.05 9.1 4.8
Magnetics 2.50 0.40 2.5 1.4 7.1
Slimes 8.40 0.44 1.50 6.0 4.2
Feed 100.00 0.70 2.25 100.0 100.0

22.4 REFRACTORY NIOBIUM ORES

There are several fairly large niobium deposits around the world that belong to the
refractory ore type. Some of these deposits can be found in Brazil, Africa and Greenland.
Typically, these ores are heavily oxidized and mostly contain iron oxides and aluminium
silicates. A typical example of such a deposit is the Mrima Hill deposit found in southeast
Kenya, which was a case study in which new technology was examined.
The Mrima Hill deposit is considered to be one of the richest deposits in the world. The
niobium in this ore occurring as pyrochlore is concentrated in a feringinous residue formed
by intense weathering of an underlying carbonatite. During the weathering process, pyro­
chlore has been altered to a microcrystalline form which breaks up into very fine particles.
The principal gangue minerals are goethite with some hematite and magnetite, aluminosi­
licates and apatite.
Minor amount of barite and ilmenite are also present in the ore. Previous studies
conducted on this ore [10] indicated that a saleable-grade concentrate can be produced
but at a very low niobium recovery (18–20%). Most of the niobium losses occur in the
120 22. Flotation of Niobium

–8 μm fraction (between 34% and 43%). Research work on the Mrima ore was conducted
during 1984–1985 [11]. The research work was designed to (a) develop a flowsheet that
would minimize the niobium losses in the fine fraction, and (b) develop a reagent scheme
that will float ultra-fine pyrochlore.
The main task in flowsheet development is the desliming size to reduce niobium losses
in the slime fraction. The generalized flowsheet used in this case study is shown in
Figure 22.5.

Ore

+4 mm
4 - mm screen
Slime
Deslime 1
–4 mm Grind
Slime
Deslime 2
65 - mesh
screen +65 m Slime
Deslime 3
65 - mesh
–65 m screen +65 m
Low - intensity
Conditioner 1 magnetic separation
Conditioner 2
Magnetics Slimes
P2O5/Ba P2O5/Ba
rougher scavenger
Conditioner 1
Conditioner 2

Nb2O5 rougher Nb2O5 scavenger

P2O5/Ba P2O5/Ba 1st

1st cleaner cleaner scavenger
Nb2O5 1st cleaner Nb2O5 1st cleaner
scavenger

Bulk apatite
barite concentrate

Nb2O5 2nd cleaner

Nb2O5 3rd cleaner

Nb2O5 4th cleaner

Nb2O5
Nb2O5 cleaner concentrate tailings

Figure 22.5 Mrima case study flowsheet.

22.4 Refractory Niobium Ores 121

Table 22.8

Effect of desliming size on niobium losses in the slime fraction

Number of desliming Dispersant Desliming size % Nb2O5 recovered

stages (µm) in the slimes

2 Na2SiO3/Calgon (1:1) 6 44
2 Na2SiO3/Calgon (1:2) 5 32
3 AQ2 4 22
3 AQ2 3 14

The apatite barite bulk flotation was accomplished with a mixture of tall oil fatty acid
and sulphonate (Aero 827) at an alkaline pH. Sodium silicate and caustic tapioca starch
were used for pyrochlore depression during the bulk apatite barite flotation stage.
In the desliming stage, various dispersants and a number of desliming stages were
examined. The niobium losses in the slime fraction were closely related to the desliming
size. Table 22.8 shows the relationship between desliming size and niobium loss in the size
fraction. The niobium loss in the size fraction is significantly reduced at a 3 μm desliming
size. The combined sands from the three desliming stages (Figure 22.4) was fed to the
niobium flotation circuit. The successful niobium flotation was very dependent on: (a) type
of dispersant used, (b) type of depressant system and (c) type of collector.
The effect of collector type on niobium rougher recovery is illustrated in Table 22.9.
The results obtained indicated that cationic flotation of pyrochlore was not successful.
Dispersant AQ4 has a pronounced effect on niobium metallurgical results. Dispersant/
depressant AQ4 is composed of the following individual reagents: 60% orthodihydrox­
ybenzene (Catacol), 30% low-molecular-weight acrylic acid (Accumer 2400) and 10%
hexametaphosphate.
The AQ4 provides excellent pulp dispersion and slime depression during niobium
flotation. The niobium grade–recovery relationship using different levels of AQ4 is
shown in Figure 22.6.
The final metallurgical results obtained in continuous locked cycle testing are shown in
Table 22.10.

Table 22.9

Effect of collector type on niobium rougher recovery.

Collector Dispersant Niobium rougher concentrate

% Grade % Recovery

Duomac T AQ4 6.6 33.5

Duomac T/Ethofat C25 AQ4 3.8 39.6
PLV28 AQ4 7.2 72.2
PLV29 AQ4 6.6 78.5
122 22. Flotation of Niobium

100

80

20

40
⇐
Nb2O5 recovery (%)

no

0
0

g/
g/
AQ4

ne

t
t
60
Concentration

40

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Niobium concentrate grade (% Nb2O5)

Figure 22.6 Effect of level of dispersant/depressant AQ4 on niobium grade–recovery relationship

using collector PLV29.

Table 22.10

Locked-cycle test results obtained from the Mrima Hill niobium refractory ore

Product Weight (%) % Niobium

Assays Distribution

Nb2O5 cleaner concentrate 3.37 46.3 65.1

Nb2O5 combined tails 51.5 0.71 15.9
P2O5/BaSO4 concentrate 12.0 0.20 0.1
Magnetics 18.0 0.6 4.5
Slimes 15.5 2.2 14.2
Head 100.0 2.4 100.0

22.5 PLANT PRACTICES IN BENEFICIATION OF PYROCHLORE ORES

There are several operating plants treating pyrochlore-containing ores from carbonatite and
pegmatite ores. Operating plants that treat carbonatite ores described in this chapter include
St. Honore Niobec, Canada, and OKa, Quebec, Canada. The operating plant that treats
pegmatite ore is Araxa (Brazil).
22.5 Plant Practices in Beneficiation of Pyrochlore Ores 123

22.5.1 St. Honore Niobec operation

The research and development work began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The
Niobec plant was designed and put into operation in 1975. Early in the operation of the
plant, tall oil fatty acid was used for calcite/dolomite flotation. In the niobium circuit,
oxalic acid and HF depressant system was used. The pyrochlore collector used was
Duomac T manufactured by Akzo Nobel. The initial flowsheet included calcite/dolomite
circuit flotation and desliming the calcite tailing followed by niobium flotation and
cleaning. From the niobium concentrate, pyrite was removed using a niobium depression
system with starch and pyrite flotation using xanthate. In late 1970, the HF was replaced
with H2SiF6.
Although good concentrate grade was achieved (i.e. 5–62% Nb), the plant recovery
was relatively low and ranged from 55% to 63% Nb2O5. The major niobium losses in
the plant occurred in the (a) slimes, (b) calcite concentrate and (c) cleaner tailings.
A portion of coarse columbite was usually lost in the cleaner tailings. In the early
2000s, detailed research work was carried out with the objective of improving the
plant’s metallurgical results. As a result of these studies, a new flowsheet was
developed and introduced into the plant. The current flowsheet includes a new
desliming circuit, where two desliming stages were introduced. With the use of a
double desliming stage, the desliming size was reduced from a P80 of 12 μm to 5 μm.
This resulted in a reduction in niobium losses in the slime fraction from 15% to 6%
Nb2O5.
The niobium circuit flowsheet (Figure 22.7) was modified to include (a) thickening of
the deslimed calcite tailing before flotation, and (b) retreatment of the niobium cleaner
tailing for extra niobium recovery.
With respect to the reagent scheme, the following modifications were made:

• Emulsified fatty acid with soda ash and silicate was used in the calcite circuit.
Xanthate was added to the emulsion, where pyrite was floated with the calcite/
dolomite concentrate. Using this calcite/dolomite system, the calcite/
dolomite recovery to the calcite concentrate increased from 55% to 80%,
respectively.
• A partially neutralized aliphatic mono-amine was used (collector CES 109) in the
niobium circuit instead of diamine.

The current Niobec reagent scheme is shown in Table 22.11. The metallurgical results over
a 6-month period is shown in Table 22.12.

22.5.2 Oka operating plant

The Oka plant located in Quebec, Canada, has been in operation for past several years. The
flowsheet and reagent scheme are similar to those used at the Niobec operation with the
exception that the pyrochlore collector used involved a mixture of amines Duomac T:
Ethofat C25 manufactured by Akzo Nobel.
The concentrate grade obtained assayed 57.5% Nb2O5 at a recovery of 67.3%.
124 22. Flotation of Niobium

Ore feed
Slimes
Deslime 1
Primary 65 - mesh –65 m
grinding screen Slimes
Deslime 2
+65 m
sands Slimes
Secondary
grinding o/f
Thickener

u/f

Conditioner Conditioner

Ca/Mg Nb2O5 rougher Nb2O5 scavenger

Ca/Mg rougher
scavenger

Nb2O5 1st cleaner

Ca/Mg 1st cleaner Nb2O5 1st cleaner scavenger

Ca/Mg 2nd cleaner

Nb2O5 2nd cleaner

Deslime
Ca / Mg
concentrate sands
Nb2O5 3rd cleaner

Nb2O5 scalper

Nb2O5 4th cleaner

Nb2O5 5th cleaner

Final
Nb2O5 cleaner concentrate tails

Figure 22.7 Niobium plant flowsheet.

References 125

Table 22.11

Current Niobec reagent scheme

Reagent Additions (g/t)

Calcite flot Niobium Ro Niobium Cl

Depressants and modifiers

Oxalic acid – 600–700 300–500
H2SiF6 – 300–400 100–200
Na2SiO3 200–300 – –
CuSO4 200 – –
Collectors
CS-109 – 400–500 100–150
NC3 500 – –

Table 22.12

Plant results obtained at the Niobec plant

Product Weight (%) Nb2O5 SiO2 Fe Recovery (% Nb2O5)

Nb2O5 final concentrate 0.92 61.2 2.2 1.8 75.4

Nb2O5 combined tails 53.38 0.14 – – 10.6
Slimes 10.20 0.33 – – 4.5
Calcite concentrate + magnetics 35.50 0.20 – – 9.5
Feed 100.00 0.75 – – 100.0

REFERENCES

1. Bulatovic, S., An Investigation into Recovery of Pyrochlore from St-Honore Niobium ore
(Canada), Report of Investigation, 2003.
2. Bulatovic, S., Process Development for Beneficiation of Oka Niobium-containing (Quebec) Ore,
Report of Investigation, 2006.
3. Desrochers, C., Traitement du Minerai de St-Honore, Centre de Rescherches Minerales (MRN),
1971.
3. Pavlor, D.A., Flotation of Niobium from Pegmatitic Ores, Tsvetnie Metally, No. 8, 1976.
4. Bushel, C.H.G., and Fackson, H.E., Flotation Process, US Patent 2,975,895, 1961.
5. Desrochers, C., and Dessureaux, S., Report on Pilot Plant Testing, St-Honore project, 1973,
MRN.
6. Arthur, W.L., and Kent, F.M., Columbium Flotation Process, US Patent 2,875,896, 1975.
7. Polkin, S.I., Obogaschenie Rud Redkih and Blagorodnik, Metalov Moskow, Nedra, 1987.
8. Bulatovic, S., Research and Development of Niobium Flotation from Pegmatitc Ore, SGS Report
of Investigation, 2007.
9. Harris, P.M., Investigation into Recovery of Niobium from Mrima Hill Deposit, Institution of
Mining and Metallurgical, 10, 1966.
10. Bulatovic, S., Development of a Treatment Process for Beneficiation of Mrima Hill Ore, Report
of Investigation, 1985.