BENEFICIATION OF A WOLLASTONITE MINERAL

In the paper are reported results of first stage tests performed to verify possibility beneficiation a wollastonite mineral (calcium metasilicate, CaSiO3). The studied ore comes from mineralized body located in southern part Sardinia (Italy), area named "Gutturu Is Abis". is composed associated with limestone, garnets and silica. approach problem has consisted grinding followed by flotation separate gangue minerals, mainly calcite. effectiveness various steps testing was verified comparing obtained specifications required market, which impose minimum quantities contaminants, such as iron, titanium magnesium, while being less severe regarding SiO2 CaO contents. consideration rather high content calcite present feed material its better floatability compared wollastonite, we proceeded direct flotation, using collector an industrial olein aqueous emulsion. Sodium silicate solution used depressant. best were at basic pH values. A Denver laboratory cell utilized perform tests. Starting alimentation 73.65%, process employed resulted product 81.31% wollastonite.