CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TAILINGS ENRICHMENT OF MAGNETITE QUARTZITES OF THE KRYVYI RIH BASIN

Abstract

The major and minor element compositions of the tailings at the Kryvyi Rih processing plants (i.e., Inguletsky, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, and Central) were studied. A good relationship between the composition of the tailings and the mined ore, which was to be enriched, was confirmed. The main trends in the techno geochemical changes in the process of enrichment were determined. Differences were measured of the tailings composition between various processing plants of the Kryvyi Rih basin. That is, the tailings from the Ingulets plant are more ferruginous with an iron content of 23.7 wt % and are almost twice as high compared to those of the Central and ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih plants. Tailings from ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih are more carbonaceous and aluminous and have low iron and silicon contents. Tailings of the Central plant are more siliceous and have minimum of alumina and carbonates and have the average iron content. In terms of the major elements, the tailings are generally enriched in silicon, aluminum, manganese, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, and depleted in iron and titanium, compared to the original ore. In terms of minor elements, the tailings are generally enriched in the some lithophile (including rare earth) elements Sr, Y, Sc, Li, and partially Zr, and depleted in elements that are concentrated in magnetite, Ni, Th, U, and Ge, compared to the original ore. The chalcophile elements Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag are characterized by an inhomogeneous and variable distribution. The most significant among them is Zn, which can have significant concentrations (up to 230 g/t in the tailings). These results can be used to determine the directions of tailing using and to assess the impact of tailings on the environment.