Mechanical Activation Effects on Physicochemical Characteristics of Silica-Based Alluvial Columbite-Tantalite Bearing Mineral for Recovery of Critical Metals

Grindability study was conducted on a silica-based alluvial columbite-tantalum mineral. Grindability values were therefore obtained. The milling process was conducted at various milling conditions. Chemical characterization, as well as the milling effects on the particle size distribution and the physicochemical structure of the mineral, was investigated. In addition, the effect of particle sizes on the liberation, chemical composition, and thermal properties of the mineral was also investigated under different milling conditions. This is significant in the sustainability in processing, mining, and metallurgical engineering and especially in the columbite mineral liberation and design/development of effective mineral processing or beneficiation routes for overall efficiency of recovery, separation and extraction of value metals such as: Nb, Ta, and Fe. This study aids the comprehension of the deciphering factor which is to be considered when choosing or selecting suitable comminution design system and equipment for successful extraction and recovery of the critical metals.