A method for recycling waste from barite mining has been discovered in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has taken an important step in the development of resource-saving technologies: Kazakh scientists have developed an innovative method for processing barite ores and industrial waste, significantly increasing the recovery of valuable components while reducing environmental impact, inbusiness.kz reports, citing the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan has developed a new technology for the integrated processing of barite ores and industrial waste, aimed at increasing the recovery of valuable components and reducing environmental impact.

"The relevance of this development is related to a growing problem in the mining and metallurgical sector. Industry enterprises accumulate significant volumes of barite ore beneficiation waste containing up to 57-60% barium sulfate. Despite their high resource potential, these materials are practically unused. Current gravity methods only provide 70-75% barite recovery and do not produce high-quality concentrate, limiting industrial application," explained the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan.

The new development will reduce environmental impact and increase mineral recovery.

The research included a comprehensive analysis of the waste's material composition, including mineralogical, particle size distribution, and physical and mechanical properties. Patterns in the distribution of barium sulfate by size class were established, and factors influencing recovery efficiency were identified.

*"Based on the data obtained, a combined gravity-flotation enrichment scheme was scientifically substantiated and developed, ensuring additional barite recovery from man-made waste from the gravity enrichment of barite ores at the Chiganak deposit in the Zhambyl region," the department noted.

As part of the research work:

• optimal flotation reagents were identified (collector - oleic acid, depressant - liquid glass);
• efficient grinding and enrichment modes were established;
• a closed-loop processing flowsheet was developed.

"Practical results confirmed the effectiveness of the approach. Following testing, barite concentrate with a barium sulfate content of up to 95.47% was obtained from waste, meeting the requirements of GOST 4682-84 and suitable for use in the oil and gas industry," the department reported.

The developed technology ensures:

• increased barite extraction from waste;
• production of high-purity products;
• reduction in the volume of man-made waste;
• reuse of secondary mineral resources;
• improvement of the environmental situation at industrial sites.

It is noted that the implementation of such solutions is particularly important in the context of growing attention to the environmental agenda and the need for rational resource use. Recycling waste not only improves production efficiency but also reduces environmental impacts.

The research results have high potential for industrial implementation and contribute to the development of resource-saving and environmentally friendly mineral processing technologies in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Source: inbusiness.kz