Simultaneous Recovery of Niobium and Sulfur from Carbonate Niobite Ore with Flotation

Exploring new ways to acquire niobium resources is essential resolve supply risks, due the fact that, at present, 99% of controlled by only two countries. In present work, a flotation technique was applied separate from low-grade niobite ore. To maximize utilization original ore resources, pre-flotation conducted recover sulfur and eliminate adverse effects sulfide on flotation. The obtained grade recovery were 33.74% 92.04%, respectively, its concentration ratio 40x. As for flotation, closed-circuit experiment with one rougher three cleaner flotations, scavenger flotations carried out achieve maximum recovery. further improve recovery, leaching process diluted HCl employed; final Nb2O5 30.19% 65.04%, reached 242x. Moreover, economic evaluation implies that can attract great positive interest.