Institute of Geology, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia):

Skamnitskaya L. S., Senior Researcher, skamnits@krc.karelia.ru
Svetova Ye. N., Senior Researcher, Ph. D. in Geology and Mineralogy, ensvetova@igkrc.ru
Svetov S. А., Deputy Director on Science, Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy, ssvetov@krc.karelia.ru

The results of mineralogical-technological studying of the Palaeoproterozoic quartz conglomerates and quartzitic sandstones from the Girvasskaya Area (Central Karelia) are discussed with a view to assess the possibility of these minerals utilization as a promising non-conventional naturally-occurring material for the purpose of high-purity quartz concentrate production. Pebble quartz and quartzitic sandstones were subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis, electron-microscope investigation, microprobe analysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis, atomic emission spectrometry. It is shown, that with respect to structural and geochemical characteristics, main part of pebble quartz is similar to hydrothermal gangue quartz, and may be considered as a promising non-conventional quartz raw material. Preliminary experiments in pebble quartz cleaning established, that quartz concentrate grade is determined by quantity and size of muscovite and feldspar inclusions, which need to be taken into account in beneficiation technology development. Sandstones dressability processing tests revealed, that quartz grit purity significantly increases with decrease in grain size. The key problem with respect to cleaning operation consists in muscovite cement illinition traces remaining on surface of quartz grains even after beneficiation operations.

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