The Nature of Phosphorous-bearing Mineral Grains in the Birmingham, Alabama Sedimentary Iron Ores and an Assessment of Their Potential Liberation by Beneficiation

Abstract

Microscopic examination of selected, representative, unweathered samples of Birmingham, Alabama, Silurian, sedimentary iron ores has fully revealed the nature of the phosphorous-bearing mineral grains. The grains are composed of carbonate-fluorapatite (collophane), range in size from 1 μm to 2.25 mm, and exhibit varied types of intergrowth with hematite. Modal analyses conducted under cathodoluminescence have provided quantitative data on the abundance of each of 15 types of phosphorous-bearing mineral grains and made it possible to assess the potential phosphorous liberation from four types of iron ore. The results indicate that 27% of the total phosphorous contained in the iron ores in the western part of the Birmingham district can be expected to be liberated by fine grinding; 60% for ores in the eastern part of the district.

Meeting Name

Symposium on Process Mineralogy (1982: Feb., Dallas, TX)

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Crushing And Grinding; Microscopic Examination; Process Mineralogy Applications; Iron Ore Treatment

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

0895203995

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1982 Metallurgical Society of AIME, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Feb 1982

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