Abstract: A process is provided for recovering a saline mineral from an ore containing the saline mineral and impurities. In one aspect, the process generally includes the steps of separating a first portion of impurities from the ore by density separation, electrostatically separating a second portion of impurities from the ore, and magnetically separating a third portion of impurities from the ore. The process can further include the steps of crushing the ore and dividing the crushed ore into a plurality of size fractions before the above-referenced separating steps. In another aspect, the process includes the steps of calcining the ore and subsequently separating a first portion of impurities by density separation. Indirect heating may be utilized for the calcining process and, preferably, calcining gases are recycled and utilized for heating fluidizing another portion of ore. Water vapor may be condensed from the calcining gas and utilized for other purposes.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering a saline mineral from an ore containing the saline mineral and impurities. The process generally comprises the steps of separating a first portion of impurities from the ore by density separation, electrostatically separating a second portion of impurities from the ore, and magnetically separating a third portion of impurities from the ore. The process can further include the steps of crushing the ore and dividing the crushed ore into a plurality of size fractions before the above-referenced separating steps. Furthermore, in order to increase the efficiency of the separating processes, the process of the present invention may further include the steps of drying the ore to remove surface moisture therefrom and de-dusting the ore to recover valuable fines.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for recovering a bulk concentrate of zircon and a bulk concentrate of rutile-ilmenite from dry plant tailings. A process has been discovered for froth flotation by manipulating the surface charges of dry plant tailings. Conditioning reagents, sulfuric acid to lower the pH; corn starch to coat the minerals to be depressed; sodium fluoride to activate the minerals to be floated; and amine to float the activated minerals, are used in the flotation process.