THE DISPERSION AND SELECTIVE FLOCCULATION OF HEMATITE ORE

Iron ore is one of the most important ores in the world. Over the past century, most mining of iron ore has been focused on magnetite (Fe3O4). As the name suggests, magnetite is magnetic in nature and is easily separated from gangue (unwanted) minerals through magnetic separation processes. Unfortunately, the magnetite ore bodies are diminishing. Because of this, there has been a recent drive to pursue technology that can economically separate hematite (Fe2O3) from its gangue minerals as hematite is a much more abundant source of iron. Most hematite ore has a very small liberation size that is frequently less than 25μm. Beneficiation of any ore with this fine of a liberation size requires advanced processing methods and is seldom pursued. A single process, known as selective flocculation and dispersion, has been successfully implemented at a plant scale for the beneficiation of fine liberation size hematite ore. Very little is known about this process as it was discovered by the U.S. Bureau of Mines by accident. The process is driven by water chemistry and surface chemistry modifications that enhance the separation of the hematite from its gangue minerals. This dissertation focuses on the role of water chemistry and process reagents in this hematite beneficiation process. It has been shown that certain ions, including calcium and magnesium, play a significant role in the process. These ions have a significant effect on the surface chemistry as reported by zeta potential studies. It was shown that magnesium ions within the process water have a more significant impact on surface chemistry than calcium ions due to steric hindrance effects at the hematite surface. It has also been shown that polyacrylic acid dispersants, if used in the process, can increase product quality (increase iron content, decrease phosphorus content, decrease silica content) substantially. Water, surface and reagent chemistry experiments were performed at a laboratory, pilot, and full plant scale during the course of this work. Many of the conclusions developed in the laboratory and pilot scale were found to be true at the full plant scale as well. These studies are the first published in history to develop theories of water chemistry and surface chemistry interactions at a full plant scale.

Age Relationships of Ore Deposits of Southwestern Montana (A Microscopic Study)

Although considerable work has been undertaken by some prominent geologists, the best known of which is that of Paul Billingsley and J. A. Grimes', in investigating the ore deposits of the Boulder Batholith and surrounding area, there has not been any complete microscopic investigation of these deposits, as a whole, published in the literature. With this in mind it was suggested to the writer by Professor Paul A. Schafer, of the Montana School of Mines, that a microscopic study of the ores of this region would be a worthwhile geologic problem. It was thought that the mineral association and the mode of mineral occurrence might afford methods of classify­ing these deposits so that they could be correlated with the age relationships worked out by Billingsley and Grimes.

Geology and Ore Deposits of the Butte-Highland Gold Mine.

The Butte-Highland mine is situated at the head of Basin Creek, in the Highland mining district, Silver Bow County, about 14 miles south of Butte. The tunnel portal and present surface plant are at an elevation of about 7350 feet above sea level, facing westward across the head of Basin Creek valley. The "ghost" mining town of Highland lies a mile to the east, near the forks of Fish Creek. Access to the mine is obtained at present from Beaudine's siding, 12 miles west. The property may also be reached, with difficulty, over poor roads from Limekiln hill, or from Moose Creek.

Geology and Ore Deposits of the Golden Era and Goldfinch Mines, Argenta Mining District, Montana.

This report includes the results of geological investigation of a small area in the northern part of the Argenta mining district. Approximately two square miles were mapped. The underground working of the three mines only were accessible: the Goldfinch. Golden Era, and Mayday mines.

A Preliminary Study of Montana Copper - Nickel Ore

Deposits of sulfides, containing nickel and copper with associated platineferous minerals occur in the Stillwater Igneous Complex. This is a group of unusual igneous rocks situated in Stillwater and Sweetgrass counties in Montana.

Geology and Ore Deposits of the Golden Messenger MIne, Lewis and Clark County, Helena, Montana.

The Golden Messenger Mine which is approximately twenty-three miles northeast of Helena, Montana, near York, on Trout Creek, has long presented several problems of both theoretical and practical interest.

The Geology and Ore Deposits of Jardine, Montana

The subject to be covered by this paper is based upon field study made during a six week stay at Jardine. The work began on June 19, 1937 and ended on July 31 of the same year.

A Study of the Concentration of a Copper-Zinc Ore.

The ore under investigation in this thesis is a copper-zinc ore which came from the state of New Mexico. The exact location is unobtainable. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the most effective means of concentration of the valuable min­erals present in the ore.

The Testing and Concentration of a Low Grade Copper-Nickel Ore.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the possi­bility of concentrating a low grade copper-nickel ore, to determine the most effective method of concentration, and to attempt to draw some conclusions to determine whether or not the concentrates produced would be of sufficient high grade to make the recovery of nickel and copper a profit­able enterprise.

Geology and Ore Deposits of the Clinton Mining District

This report includes the results of geological investigation of the Clinton Mining District and the Hidden Treasure Mine.The Clinton Mining District is an unorganized mining dis­trict situated in the Garnet Range two and one-half miles northeast of the town of Clinton, Montana, which is on the Northern Pacific Railway and the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad seventeen miles east of the city of Missoula. The district is in the same range of mountains as the Gar­net Mining District and the drainage from the district covered is to the south into the Hell Gate or Clarks Fork of the Colum­bia River. The main stream is known as Trail creek, which runs in a southerly direction from the area studied.

The Testing and Concentration of a Tungsten Ore

At the present time the principal uses for tungsten lie in the manufacture of ferro-alloys and tungsten steels. Due to it’s hardening and strengthening characteristics it holds an important position among steel hardening metals. The great rush for it’s production during the World War years clearly points to it’s importance in the manufacture of armament.

The Testing and Concentration of Lake Chelan Copper Ore

The geologic history of the Holden area and Lake Chelan district is an integral part of the history of the Cascade Mountain Range. The structure is very complex and the rocks, which have been subjected to intense metamorphic action, are portions of a roof pendant and consists of gneisses, schists and quartzites that are often difficult to correlate.

A Study of the Concentration of a Low-Grade Manganese Ore from the Ennis District

The purpose of the investigation was to determine the most effective means of concentrating the manganese in the ore. The study was that of identification of the minerals present. This showed the presence of oxides of manganese and iron, and carbonates of calcium and manganese. Methods of investigation were planned to determined whether the ore could be concentrated effectively by gravity concentration methods. ­

A Study of a Carbonaceous Gold Ore

The presence of graphite in the ore of the Missouri-McKee Mine has made its treatment by the methods now used quite unsatisfactory. The study was undertaken to de­velop a new flow sheet which would give a high recovery and yet be economical enough to handle low grade material.

The Beneficiation of Montana Silver Star Chromite Ore

It is known that there are large deposits of chromium ore in Stillwater and Carbon Counties in South-Central Montana. The late James F. Kemp of Columbia University, stated in 1928, that these were the largest chromium deposits in the United States and probably in the world, although they were not considered of commercial grade as compared with foreign ores.