Texture and Mineral Composition of Magmatic Apatite-Nepheline Ores: Technological Consequences (Exemplified by Khibiny)

Abstract The paper considers the relationship between textural and structural features gross mineral chemical composition of minerals physical properties apatite-nepheline ores their processing. It is noted that change in involves primarily due to apatite depletion. An increase content nepheline pyroxene 35-55 % sharply increases ore strength up 47-104 MPa, which entails growth energy consumption for grinding. important factor contains high-strength poikilitic intergrowths with nepheline, pyroxene, titanite, about 20 fine-grained concentrated, extraction a complex technological problem. authors attribute main factors deteriorating product quality. According studies, unstable varies P 2 O 5 (37.20-42.6 %), SrO (2.29-5.36 Tr 3 (0.51-1.05 %). may affect flotation quality concentrate.