Mineral processing of low quality zircon concentrates and preconcentrates

In NE Brazil, Millennium Inorganic Chemicals do Brasil S/A produces zircon concentrates with variable contents of ZrO2. One of such concentrates, named zirconite B, presents a low ZrO2 value and high content of contaminants, being considered as a low quality concentrate. The deposit consists of coastal dunes, and the minerals are located in the base, coated by a clayeyferruginous pellicle, which interferes in the zircon beneficiation. Besides, two other causes influence the production of the low quality concentrate: mineral inclusions and the development of metamictes in the zircons. The present work, conducted on the zirconite B concentrate and in the preconcentrate, characterises the pellicle's nature, identifies the mineral inclusions in the zircons, illustrates the occurrence of metamictes in the zircons and suggest alternative routes to the production of a high quality zircon good, from the zirconite B concentrate and the zircon's preconcentrate.