Abstract:

he development of new technologies is one of the most effective ways to solve environmental problems related to oredressing. Complex mineralogical investigations are able to help in improving this process. In collaboration with researchers from the IPKON institute we have developed an electrochemical method to improve the properties of crushed ores prepared for the wet magnetic separation. The present paper studies the samples both before and after application of the electrochemical method. Surfaces of mineral grains investigated by the SEM method demonstrate differences in flocculation. Measured polarization curves allowed to reveal unequal electrochemical processes on surfaces of magnetite, hematite, and martite particles. Xray analysis and Mssbauer data also confirmed the changes in compositions of the ores before and after applying of the electrochemical method. Magnetic properties of the studied species to be compared before and after the method application revealed relevant increasing for such parameters as magnetic viscosity (Svo), breaking saturation field (Hcr), magnetic susceptibility (χ), and specific magnetization (Is).

Key words:

environmental mineralogy; iron ores; magnetic properties