Potash Ore Processing: Technology Research and Physicochemical Properties

The Republic of Kazakhstan is endowed with a distinctive endowment of potash ores, concentrated in the West Kazakhstan and Aktobe regions. These reserves are regarded as one of the largest in the world. The proven reserves are estimated at approximately 6 billion tons and are distributed across four major deposits: These are the Zhilyanskoye, Satimola, Inderskoye and Chelkar deposits. The article provides a concise overview of the major potassium salt deposits and the chemical composition of the associated minerals. Notwithstanding the existence of these deposits, the production of potash salts in the country, for which there is an ever-increasing demand, is yet to be established, resulting in a high level of demand. In light of this, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the mineralogical and chemical composition of these promising potash ores, with a view to identifying viable methods for processing natural salt systems into products that meet the high demand both within the domestic fertiliser and salt market and abroad. The Satimola deposit represents one of the largest silvinite basins yet to be sufficiently studied, and its industrial development has yet to commence. The analysis of raw materials and products was conducted using a combination of spectral microscopy, X-ray analysis, and differential thermal analysis. A comprehensive study of the composition of the silvinite ore from the Satimola deposit has been conducted. The elemental composition and the ratio of potassium and sodium salts in the mineral were established. The ore was found to have a heterogeneous composition, with sodium chloride representing the dominant component.