Assessment of the material composition of oil-bearing quartz-leucoxene sandstones from the Yaregskoye deposit for primary enrichment

This study examines the material composition of two oil-saturated quartz-leucoxene sandstone samples (coarse- and fine-grained) from the Yaregskoye deposit following the removal of the organic phase (oil). The mineral fraction was classified by particle size, and the distribution of titanium and other components was analyzed. Results show that up to 99 % of titanium is concentrated in fractions smaller than 1 mm. Removing the coarse fraction (>1 mm) has minimal effect on titanium recovery; however, its elimination can increase the titanium grade in the productive fraction by 1.5 to 2 times compared to the raw ore. The cementing matrix within aggregates of quartz and leucoxene grains in the coarse fractions was characterized. To identify ilmenite and iron-bearing alteration products, the productive fraction (–1+0.05 mm) underwent dry magnetic separation under a strong magnetic field (1.6 T). The magnetic fraction yield was less than 1 %, comprising leucoxene grains with iron aluminosilicate phases, quartz aggregates bound by iron clay minerals, and quartz grains containing iron oxide and sulfide inclusions. The non-magnetic fraction consisted of transparent quartz and yellow and sandcolored leucoxene grains. These results inform further beneficiation strategies for the mineral part of quartz-leucoxene sandstones to produce a titanium concentrate with TiO2 content exceeding 60 %, suitable for chemical desiliconization.The work was completed under State Assignment No. 075-00319-25-00.