Mining Institute of Kola Scientific Centre of RAS (Apatity, Russia):

Mitrofanova G. V., Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, atletik-2010@yandex.ru

Chernousenko E. V., Researcher

Polyplast North-West LLC (Kingisepp, Russia):
Golubev V. Yu., Technical Director, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, tehdir@ppnw.ru
Matveeva E. V., Head of Mining Direction, rop@ppnw.ru

Grinding is the most energy-intensive process in the ore processing chain. The issue of its intensification is especially urgent in the processing of iron ores, characterized by high strength. A known way to increase the efficiency of ore reduction is to use surfactant additives in grinding. This paper presents a study on the effects of grinding intensifiers (by Poliplast Severo-Zapad), widely used in other areas of technology, on the grinding of iron-bearing ores, processed mainly by magnetic separation that eliminates the possible negative effects of surfactants, for example, on flotation processes. The study was conducted using two samples of iron-bearing ores processed at the Olcon concentrator. The grinding intensifiers tested were represented by the commercially available low molecular weight carboxylic acids, esters, medium molecular lignosulfonates, and mixtures thereof with different ratios of the components. Grind-ing was carried out in a laboratory ball mill at various grinding times. The effectiveness of the surfactants was evaluated by the results of particle size analysis, carried out with preliminary wet removal of the –0.05 mm class. The contents of the size classes of –0.071 and –0.05 mm were then monitored. The studies have shown that the greatest positive effect on the yield of –0.071 and 0.05 mm grades (1.5–2.5 %) is achieved through the use of the majority of reagents tested when grinding particularly strong iron-bearing ores, which enables subsequent improvement of the entire processing cycle.

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