Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Primary beneficiation of tantalite using magnetic separation and acid leaching

  • Published:
International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Primary beneficiation was successfully performed prior to dissolution of manganotantalite (sample A) and ferrotantalite (sample C) samples obtained from two different mines in the Naquissupa area, Mozambique. Magnetic separation removed the majority of iron and titanium, whereas H2SO4 leaching removed a large portion of thorium and uranium in these samples. Analytical results indicated that 64.14wt% and 72.04wt% of the total Fe and Ti, respectively, and ∼2wt% each of Nb2O5 and Ta2O5 were removed from sample C (ferrotantalite) using the magnetic separation method, whereas only 9.64wt% and 8.66wt% of total Fe2O3 and TiO2, respectively, and ∼2wt% each of Nb2O5 and Ta2O5 were removed from sample A (manganotantalite). A temperature of 50°C and a leaching time of 3 h in the presence of concentrated H2SO4 were observed to be the most appropriate leaching conditions for removal of radioactive elements from the tantalite ores. The results obtained for sample A under these conditions indicated that 64.14wt% U3O8 and 60.77wt% ThO2 were leached into the acidic solution, along with 4.45wt% and 0.99wt% of Nb2O5 and Ta2O5, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A.R. Adetunji, W.O. Siyanbola, I.I. Funtua, S.O.O. Olusunle, A.A. Afonja, and O.O. Adewoye, Assessment of beneficiation routes of tantalite ores from key locations in Nigeria, J. Miner. Mater. Charact. Eng., 4(2005), No. 2, p. 85.

    Google Scholar 

  2. H. Vesperini, Congo’s coltan rush, BBC Online News, 2001-01-01.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Roskill Information, The Economics of Tantalum, 9th ed., Roskill Information Services Ltd., London, 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  4. T.A. Theron, Quantification of Tantalum in Series of Tantalum-Containing Compounds [Dissertation], University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 2010, p. 88.

    Google Scholar 

  5. S.B. Dampare, B.J.B. Nyarko, S. Osae, E.H.K. Akaho, D.K. Asiedu, Y. Serfor-Armah, and P. Nude, Simultaneous determination of tantalum, niobium, thorium and uranium in placer columbite-tantalite deposits from the Akim Oda District of Ghana by epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis, J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., 265(2005), No. 1, p. 53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center, Tantalum — Raw Materials and Processing [2011-11-10]. http://tanb.org/tantalum.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Reactor Concepts Manual, Transportation of Radioactive Material [2012-11-28]. http://mitnse.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/transportation_11.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  8. O.M. El-Hussaini and M.A. Mahdy, Sulfuric acid leaching of Kab Amiri niobium-tantalum bearing minerals, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt, Hydrometallurgy, 64(2002), No. 3, p. 219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. E.J. Bielecki, K.A. Romberger, B.F. Bakke, M.A. Hobin, and C.R. Clark, Recovery of Metal Values and Hydrofluoric Acid from Tantalum and Columbium Waste Sludge, U.S. Patent 5023059 A, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  10. J. Habash and A.J. Smith, Structure of thorium sulphate octahydrate, Th(SO4)2·8H2O, Acta Crystallogr. Sect. C, 39(1983), p. 413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Y. Pekkala, T. Kuivasaari, R. Gonçalves, M. Deus, F. Chaúque, and C. Almeida, Review of industrial minerals in Mozambique, Geol. Survey Finl., 48(2008), p. 289.

    Google Scholar 

  12. M. Nete, Dissolution and Analytical Characterization of Tantalite Ore, Niobium Metal and Other Niobium Compounds [Dissertation], University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 2009, p. 119.

    Google Scholar 

  13. M. Nete, W. Purcell, E. Snyders, J.T. Nel, and G. Beukes, Characterization and alternative dissolution of tantalite mineral samples from Mozambique, J. South. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall., 112(2012), p. 1079.

    Google Scholar 

  14. M. Nete, Separation and Purification of Niobium and Tantalum from Synthetic and Natural Compounds [Dissertation], University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 2013, p. 185.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Mineral Data Publishing, Ilmenorutile, Version 1, (2001–2005) [2013-08-13]. http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/ilmenorutile.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  16. A. Agulyansky, The Chemistry of Tantalum and Niobium Fluoride Compounds, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

    M. Nete, F. Koko, T. Theron & W. Purcell

  2. The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation SOC Ltd. (Necsa), P.O. Box 582, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    J. T. Nel

Authors
  1. M. Nete
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Koko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Theron
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. Purcell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. T. Nel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. Purcell.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nete, M., Koko, F., Theron, T. et al. Primary beneficiation of tantalite using magnetic separation and acid leaching. Int J Miner Metall Mater 21, 1153–1159 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-014-1022-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-014-1022-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation