Research on Value Adding to Minerals in Mongolia
Jadambaa Temuujin Dr.(ScD), Academician of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences
“From Exploration and Exploitation to Development” Value addition to Minerals Industry
Motto of this year:
Typical minerals operation… • discovery of deposit
– resource definition
• mine planning – UG or open pit
• minerals processing – flotation
– gravity
– etc
• chemical extraction – hydrometallurgy
– pyrometallurgy
rock high grade deposits
direct industrial use iron ore, phosphates, limestone etc
concentrate low grade deposits
physically upgraded sulphides, gold etc
metal from concentrate
requires chemical processing high purity
value per tonne
Possible products….
Value adding is the key
ilmenite
synthetic rutile
pigment rutile
Ti metal
%Ti
200
400
2000
20000
US$ / tonne
31.6
~55
60.0
>99.9
Value adding
I. producing purer products
II. producing more sophisticated products
III. decreasing impact on environment
IV. building for the future
Achievements and capabilities of Mongolian minerals researchers
Technology of processing of synchysite
(Ca(Ce,La)(CO3)2F) Preparation of a mixed rare earth oxides
and cerium oxide with 98-99% purity
Fig.5 Technological scheme for preparing mixed rare earth oxides
Ore
(REE 3-8%)
Enrichment
(gravitation)
Synchysite concentrate
(REE 20-28%)
Roasting
(700oC, 120min)
Dissolution
(HNO3 57%, S:L=1:2, 2h)
Non-soluble
remaining
Nitric acid solution of
Rare earth elements
Precipitation of mixed rare earth oxalates by
adding oxalic acid(H2C2O4)
RE2O3
(650oC, 1h)
RE2(C2O4)3
RE(OH)3
(2.5N NaOH)
Synchysite Ca(Ce,La)(CO3)2F is one of only a few rare earth carbonate minerals. It never been considered an economic source of rare earth oxides (REO).
Conventional processing of Molybdenite: -Pyrometallurgical (roasting with soda or lime) -Hydrometallurgical (direct leaching by acid)
Alternative processing: -Very intensive grinding to increase its solubility (however molybdenite is highly stable to mechanical activation because of its layered structure
Processing of molybdenite
Na2O2, kmol
MoS2,
kmol
2MoS2 + 6Na2O2 = 3Na2S + 2Na2MoO4 + Na2SO4
0
30
60
90
120
150
0 2 4 6
Grinding time, h
So
lub
ilit
y, m
g/l
Processing of molybdenite
A new processing method
2. Preparation of MoS2 based solid lubricant with 99% purity
Value added product by natural wolframite
Conventional fabrication process of WC, W+C-blending and calcining at very high temperature, e.g. 1400-2000oC, under
reducing gas, e.g. H2 or CO
FeWO4 + 5C WC + Fe + 4CO
Fe3W3C WC
вольфрамит
50nm
Alternative processing route
Industrial interest
Can we perform value addition of Mongolian minerals at the industrial scale?
Want to say : Yes
Industry has only 1 requirement
Requirements for industry… bulk processing capacity
>5000tpa
minimal energy costs minimisation of grind time (milling energy increases exponentially as the particles get
smaller, the current residence time for size reduction is ~20mins)
advantages over current processes simpler route (less unit operation = lower capex + simpler control)
fewer or less expensive reagents (lower opex)
less environmental impact (less toxic or less unsaleable by-products)
more valuable product (metal or other value added material)
retrofitting equipment can be readily integrated into current flowsheet
What are geopolymers
+ = Fly ash
• Geopolymers are a synthetic inorganic polymer produced by the alkali activation of aluminosilicate raw materials.
• Primarily applied as a replacement for Portland cement • Intrinsically fire resistant
Applications of Geopolymers Applications of geopolymers
Cement replacement Other applications
Most ready
mix applications
Sewerage pipes
Precast panels
Refractory bricks
Fireproof barriers
Mine backfill
Waste containment
Road bases and
marine structures
Ceramic precursor
Aerated wall boards
(thermal insulation)
Applications of geopolymers
Cement replacement Other applications
Most ready
mix applications
Sewerage pipes
Precast panels
Refractory bricks
Fireproof barriers
Mine backfill
Waste containment
Road bases and
marine structures
Ceramic precursor
Aerated wall boards
(thermal insulation)
Mine backfill
Source: M.Drechsler Andrew Graham, Innovative Materials Technologies: Bringing Resource Sustainability to Construction and Mining Industries, 48th Institute of Quarrying Conference, 12-15 October 2005, Adelaide SA
Ongoing and planned projects of thermal power plants
Source: Yeren-Ulzee, www.energy.gov.mn
There will be a plenty of raw materials for the geopolymer application.
Mongolian scientists are ready to cooperate with you
Thank you for the attention!