On the possibility to obtain manganese concentrate from manganese-containing tailings

The paper presents the results of studies intended to separate minerals by density in a heavy liquid. Chemical analysis found that the manganese content amounts to 16,32 % in the studied sludge sample. Manganese sludge was separated by specific gravity in M-45 heavy liquid (the aqueous solution of a complex salt of barium iodides and cadmium with a density of 3 000 kg/m3). The tailings sample was fractioned by specific gravity in the material with a particle size of -2,5 + 1,0 mm; -1,0 + 0,5 mm and -0,5 + 0 mm. The manganese content in the heavy fraction of 3 000 kg/m3 was 32,5 %. The manganese content in the light fraction varied from 1,7 to 2,5 %. Light fractions were represented by aggregates of quartz and calcite with manganese minerals. According to X-ray phase analysis, heavy fractions were mainly represented by minerals braunite, bixbyite, barite and hematite