Patent ID: 6685027
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: B03D

Abstract:
A method of concentrating phosphate minerals from their ores comprising:subjecting the ore as an aqueous pulp to a first froth flotation treatment in the presence of an anionic collector under conditions sufficient to produce a first froth overflow product of rougher phosphate concentrate and a first underflow product of siliceous material; subjecting the first froth overflow product of rougher phosphate concentrate to de-oiling treatment with mineral acid under conditions sufficient to produce a de-oiled phosphate concentrate; subjecting the de-oiled phosphate concentrate to a second froth flotation treatment in the presence of cationic collectors under conditions sufficient to produce a second froth overflow product of a first final phosphate concentrate and a second underflow product of phosphate particles containing siliceous material; subjecting the second underflow product to a third froth flotation treatment in the presence of cationic collectors under conditions sufficient to produce a third froth overflow product of siliceous material having less phosphate particles and a third underflow product of a second final phosphate concentrate; and recovering the first and second final phosphate concentrate.