High level of purity: Kazakhstan has learned how to handle waste

Innovative technology for complex processing of barite ores was developed in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has developed a new technology for the integrated processing of barite ores and technogenic waste, aimed at increasing the extraction of valuable components and reducing the environmental load. The project was implemented within the framework of a scientific and technical program for the creation of innovative resource-saving technologies for the extraction and complex processing of mineral and technogenic raw materials, financed by the Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, reports a Check-point.kz correspondent.

The press service of the Ministry of Industry and Construction spoke about the essence of the problem. The fact is that the enterprises of the mining and metallurgical complex of Kazakhstan have accumulated significant volumes of barite ore enrichment waste containing up to 57–60% barium sulfate.

*“Despite the high resource potential, these materials are currently practically not involved in processing. The gravity methods used ensure barite extraction at the level of 70-75%, but do not allow obtaining a standard concentrate, which indicates the incompleteness of technological extraction and limits the industrial use of this waste,” the ministry explained.

To solve the problem, research was needed, during which a comprehensive analysis of the material composition of the waste was carried out, including mineralogical, granulometric and physical-mechanical characteristics. The patterns of distribution of barium sulfate by size class have been established and the factors influencing the extraction efficiency have been identified.

“A combined gravity-flotation enrichment scheme has been scientifically substantiated and developed, ensuring additional extraction of barite from technogenic waste from the gravity enrichment of barite ores at the Chiganak deposit in the Zhambyl region,” noted the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of research work:

• the optimal flotation reagents were determined (collector - oleic acid, depressor - liquid glass);

• rational modes of grinding and enrichment have been established;

• a technological scheme with a closed processing cycle has been developed.

• “According to the test results, a barite concentrate with a barium sulfate content of up to 95.47% was obtained from the waste, meeting the requirements of GOST 4682–84 and suitable for use in the oil and gas industry,” * the ministry noted.

The developed technology provides:

• increasing the completeness of barite extraction from waste;
• obtaining products of high purity;
• reducing the volume of technogenic accumulations;
• involvement of secondary mineral resources in economic circulation;
• improving the environmental situation at industrial sites.

“Thus, the results of the study have a high potential for industrial implementation and contribute to the development of resource-saving and environmentally oriented technologies for processing mineral raw materials in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the ministry summarized.

Widespread in Kazakhstan, barite was originally used for bleaching fabrics and paper - barite white and baritage.

Serves as a raw material for the production of barium sulfate, enamel, glaze, barium salts. It is used as a filler in the manufacture of rubber, oilcloth, linoleum, and paper.

Transparent barite crystals are used in optical instruments.

Used for protection against x-rays, including in x-ray laboratories, for coatings and insulation in chemical industries (due to chemical resistance, in particular to sulfuric acid), and also as a protective material in nuclear reactors.

In the oil industry it is used as a substance that increases the density of drilling fluids.

Source: check-point.kz

Source: www.gov.kz/memleket