Tantalum-Niobium Ore Beneficiation Process

Tantalum-niobium ore often coexists with zircon sand, ilmenite, rutile, and other minerals in coastal sand deposits. The separation of tantalum-niobium ore primarily relies on differences in density and magnetic properties to achieve effective separation from gangue minerals. Below is the typical beneficiation process and equipment introduction for coastal sand tantalum-niobium ore.

1. Washing and Screening

The mined coastal sand ore is first fed into a trommel screen for washing and screening. This step removes impurities such as clay and organic matter and classifies the material by particle size, providing suitably graded material for subsequent gravity separation. The washing section of the trommel screen effectively cleans clay and organic matter adhering to the ore surface, screens out oversized gravel, and obtains fine-grained ore sand.

2. Spiral Chute Gravity Separation

The screened fine-grained ore sand is fed into a spiral chute for separation based on differences in mineral density. Tantalum-niobium ore, along with high-density minerals such as zircon and cassiterite, is enriched in the concentrate trough, completing the roughing and pre-concentration stage.

3. Shaking Table Concentration

The tailings from the spiral chute gravity separation (containing zircon, cassiterite, tantalum-niobium ore, etc.) are further processed using a shaking table for re-separation. Through the reciprocating motion of the shaking table and the action of water flow, lighter gangue minerals such as silica sand are removed, yielding a mixed concentrate primarily composed of zircon, cassiterite, and tantalum-niobium ore.

4. Magnetic Separation

The mixed concentrate is dried and then fed into a three-disc magnetic separator. By precisely adjusting the magnetic field intensity, separation is achieved based on differences in the magnetic properties of the minerals. Tantalum-niobium ore typically exhibits weak magnetism and is ultimately obtained as a concentrate through magnetic separation at different intensities.

The above is an introduction to the beneficiation process of tantalum-niobium ore from coastal sands. For more information on mineral processing, free production line configuration, and equipment selection quotes, feel free to contact us.