Surface chemistry modifications in grinding and flotation of spodumene

Philipa A. Opoku; Boris Albijanic; Aleksandar N. Nikoloski; Bogale Tadesse

doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2025.109676

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Surface chemistry modifications in grinding and flotation of spodumene

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Surface chemistry modifications in grinding and flotation of spodumene

Philipa A. Opoku, Boris Albijanic, Aleksandar N. Nikoloski and Bogale Tadesse

Minerals engineering, Vol.234, 109676

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2025.109676

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Abstract

Froth flotation

Grinding media

Spodumene

Surface chemistry

This study investigated the effects of different grinding environments on the flotation behaviour of spodumene from lithium pegmatite ore through bench-scale froth flotation tests using sodium oleate (NaOL) collector. The mechanisms governing these interactions were characterized by particle zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscopy in tandem with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Flotation performance was investigated for spodumene wet ground with cast iron and zirconia media under alkaline, acidic and neutral conditions. SEM-EDS analyses revealed marked differences in particle shape between acid and alkali treated samples. Sodium hydroxide treatment induced mild etching and selective surface dissolution, exposing fresh regions, whiles hydrochloric acid treatment caused extensive morphological alterations, including scuffing marks, holes and fine residuals. XPS analysis showed significant difference in surface composition of iron, aluminium, silicon, carbon and oxygen under different treatment conditions. Iron deposition on mineral surface ground with cast iron balls was attributed to the corrosion of media onto the pulp during grinding. At a head grade of 0.67% lithium oxide (Li2O), the highest flotation performance with zirconia grinding assayed as 2.15% Li2O grade and 46% recovery with alkali pretreatment. By contrast, cast iron grinding achieved a higher recovery of 95%, albeit at a lower concentrate grade of 1.72% Li2O. This work highlights the need to tailor activators and depressants for zirconia and cast-iron media, respectively, to optimize spodumene flotation selectivity.

Details

Title: Surface chemistry modifications in grinding and flotation of spodumene
Authors/Creators: Philipa A. Opoku - Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines
Boris Albijanic - Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines
Aleksandar N. Nikoloski - Murdoch University, Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
Bogale Tadesse - Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines
Publication Details: Minerals engineering, Vol.234, 109676
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Number of pages: 12
Identifiers: 991005806849707891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Engineering and Energy; Centre for Water, Energy and Waste
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 7 Engineering & Materials Science; 7.229 Mineral & Metal Processing; 7.229.1157 Flotation
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Chemical; Mineralogy; Mining & Mineral Processing
ESI research areas: Geosciences