Assessment of Specificity of Calcite Flotation Kinetics in Secondary Processing of Fluorite-Bearing Materials

The research focuses on the specificity of flotation of carbonate–fluorite ore waste at Yaroslavskaya Mining Company. The waste composition and process properties are examined. Fluorite in the test waste occurs in mineral concretions and in slime. The problems in flotation of old mining and processing waste are governed by specific surface properties of particles, film coatings and structural transformations. The promising methods to induce conversion of components in flotation pulp are discussed. It is found that ultrasonic and electrochemical treatment of waste components promote selectivity of their separation. The indicators of processes at fixed time intervals and under special effects are analyzed. Flotation with ultrasonic and electrochemical pre-treatment of pulp substantially increases fluorite concentration in froth and enhances selectivity of fluorite separation from calcite. Recovery of fluorite in concentrates with CaF2 content more than 94% rises by 2.97–4.58%. It is demonstrated that it is possible to reduce mass fraction of silicon dioxide in concentrates by 0.3–0.5%.