Beneficiation and Characterization of Detrital Zircons from Beach Sand and Red Sediments in India

Sunita Routray, R. Bhima Rao

Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology(Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)Bhubaneswar 751 013, India.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2011.1015110                

Abstract

This paper deals with the recovery of zircon minerals from beach sand and red sediments of bad land topography and flow sheets with material balance are suggested. The experimental data reveal that the total heavy mineral content of red sediment sample is 43.9% in which zircon mineral concentrate is 2.75% by weight, where as for beach-dune sand sample the THM content is 16.7% in which zircon mineral concentrate is 0.16% by weight. It is found that U and Th and REE elements contents are much higher in red sediment zircon sample than beach sand zircon. Zircon concentrates recovered from beach-dune sand and red sediments contain 98 to 98.1% zircon with 79.6 to 80% recovery respectively. These zircon minerals from both the sources are suitable for industrial applications.

Keywords

Beach -Dune sand, Red Sediment, Zircon, Beneficiation, Characterization

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Singh, R.N., 1990, “High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of a Uniaxially Reinforced Zircon-Silicon Carbide Composite.” Journal of American Ceramic Society, Vol 73, No. 8, pp. 2399-2406.
[2]	Indian Minerals year book, 2008, Zircon.
[3]	Laxmi, T. and Bhima Rao, R., 2010, “Bad Land Topography of Coastal Belt Sediment Deposits of India: A Potential Resource for Industrial Minerals.” Mines and Minerals Reporter, Vol. 3, No. 7, pp.12-18.
[4]	Murtty Ch, V.G.K., Upadhyaya and Asokan, S., 2007, “Recovery of Zircon from Sattankulam Deposit in India- Problems and Prospects,” The 6th International Heavy Minerals Conference “Back to Basics” The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, pp. 69-74.
[5]	IREL Indian Rare Earths Ltd., 2005, OSCAM, IRE-TS.
[6]	TA, 1988, ‘Technology in Australia 1788–1988’, Mineral Sands, Chapter 10, Section IV, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, pp.762–764.
[7]	Jones, T.A. and Erasmus, W., 1999, “Efficient Enhanced Gravity Recovery of Zircon Using the Kelsey Centrifugal Jig.” The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, DMS and Gravity Concentration Operations and Technology in South Africa, pp.87–108.
[8]	Bhima Rao, R., Reddy, P.S.R. and Misra, V.N., 2002, “Flotation Behaviors of Beach Sand Zircon in Association with Other Heavy Minerals”, All India Seminar on Zircons, Organized by IEI, Berhampur Center, Orissa, pp.1–7.
[9]	Abeidu, A.M., 1972, “The Separation of Monazite from Zircon by Flotation”, Journal of Less Common Metals, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp.113–119.
[10]	Bulatovic, S. and De Silvio, E., 2000, “Process Development of Impurity Removal from a Tin Gravity Concentrate”, Minerals Engineering, Vol. 13, Nos. 8–9, pp.871–879.
[11]	Gul, A., 2004, “Flotation Behaviours of Microlite and Zircon”, Minerals Engineering, Vol. 17, No. 4, pp.561–563.
[12]	Jiaying, T., Baoqi, S., Zhengbing, C. and Wenguang, L., 1993, “Study on New Technology of Separating Sea Beach Placer with Mixed Collectors”, XVIII International Mineral Processing Congress Sydney, Vol. 4, pp.1025–1030.
[13]	Manser, R.M., 1975, Handbook of Silicate Flotation, Warren Spring Laboratory, Stevenage, UK, p.58.
[14]	Pavez, O. and Peres, A.E.C., 1993, “Flotation of Monazite-Zircon-Rutile with Sodium Oleate and Hydroxamates”, XVIII International Mineral Processing Congress, Sydney, Vol. 4, pp.1007–1012.
[15]	Hosten, C., 2001, “Microflotability of Rutile and Zircon with Soap and Amine Type Collectors.” Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing, Poland, Vol. 35, pp.161– 170.
[16]	Belousova, E.A., Griffin, W.L., and O’Reilly, S.Y., 2006, “Zircon Crystal Morphology, Trace Element Signatures and Hf Isotope Composition as a Rool for Pertrogenetic Modelling: Examples from Eastern Australian Granitoids.” Journal of Petrology, Vol 47, No 2, pp. 329-353.
[17]	Ravindra Kumar, G.R. and Narayanaswamy, 1995, “Morphology of Zircons in Massive and Incipient Charnokites of Southern Kerala: Their Bearing on The Origin.” Current Science. 69(11), 941-944.
[18]	Murthy, M, V, N., 1969. Miscellaneous Publication 9 (Geological Survey of India. Calcutta), pp.246.
[19]	Zhang, Z., Shen, K., Xiao, Y., Hoefs, J., and Liou, J.G., 2006, “Mineral and Fluid Inclusions in Zircon of UHP Metamorphic Rocks from The CCSD-Main Drill Hole: A Record of Metamorphism and Fluid Activity.” Lithos, 92, 378-398.
[20]	Hota R, N, and Maejima, W., 2009, “Heavy Minerals of the Barakar Formation, Talchi Gondawana Basin, Orissa.” J. Geol. Soci. India. Vol.74, pp.375-384.
[21]	Dawson, P., Hargreave, M.M. and Wilkinson, G.R., 1971, “The Vibrational Spectrum of Zircon (ZrSiO4).” Journal of Physics C.: Solid State Physics, Vol 4, pp.240-256.
[22]	Nasdala L, Pidgeon RT, Wolf D, 1996, “Heterogenous Metamictization of Zircon on Micro Scale.” Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 60, No 6, pp.1091-1097.