Applicability of Electrostatic Separation on Talc-Containing Mineral Samples for Production of a High-Grade Talc Concentrate in Comparison to Flotation

Abstract

In the course of this study, the applicability of electrostatic separation and flotation for processing a mineral sample rich in talc was examined. The aim was a comparison of those two separation processes and the concentrates obtained. Furthermore the separation behaviour of the silicates and carbonates was a goal of the examination. The electrostatic separation test work was conducted with a triboelectric belt separator. The feed, an artificially prepared mineral sample, was composed of four components: talc, quartz, dolomite, and magnesite. The lab scale test work was done exclusively at the Chair of Mineral Processing, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Austria.

Ceramic Materials Based on Clay and Soapstone Waste: Thermo-Mechanical Properties and Application

“…The mineralogy of ultramafic-hosted soapstone limits its usability for talc extraction and does not favor the production of the finest-quality highbrightness talc products (Fe 2 O 3 , FeO, Al 2 O 3 , and CaO are the principal impurity oxides). The processing of such soapstone to obtain talc concentrate involves the use of high-tech beneficiation technologies, allowing for the production of various grades of commercial talc that successfully compete in the global market (whiteness is in the range from 75% to 90%) [3,[7][8][9][10][11]. Ferroan magnesite obtained as a byproduct of talc production from soapstones (e.g., in Finland, Norway, and Russia [8,12,13]) is of potential economic interest.…”