Interesting and informative posts on Sandro Arruda's LinkedIn...

Interesting and informative posts on Sandro Arruda's LinkedIn that I recommoned people go have a read through.

This is one from a week ago, he has a video with it as well where he's crushing some of the material (screenshots below).

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sandro-arruda-3123312a_mining-geologia-geology-activity-7194071022118064128-Z78U?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop


The Intriguing Relationship Between Tantalum and Niobium Ores and Gold in Brazil

One of the fascinating interactions occurs between tantalum/niobium ores and gold, especially in some regions of Brazil, where this type of ore is often considered as waste. In certain cases, it is even seen as a challenge in the gold concentration process, as tantalum particles have the ability to make gold float and, consequently, be lost.

In a test I conducted, I used small magnets to remove the excess of iron and ilmenite (Fe2O3+TiO2) generally at 2500 gauss magnetic.

Then, I employed more powerful magnets of 5000-7000 gauss to attract the tantalum and niobium ores, which have low magnetism. This way, we can isolate the silica (Sio2) containing numerous gold points.One of the great advantages of finding these associated ores is the added value it brings to production.

Through a process of rock grinding, centrifuges, jig concentrators, wash tables, drying, and magnetic separation, it is possible to obtain high-quality tantalum ore, with a content exceeding 30% of Ta2O5, while preserving the gold.

Larger granular particles are retained and concentrated in jig concentrators, while finer particles are concentrated on wash tables, centrifuges, and sometimes spirals.

This association of ores is notable in several regions of Brazil, including Pará, Mato Grosso, Amapá, Roraima, Goiás, and Paraíba. Furthermore, I have observed similar situations in the English Guiana, which borders Roraima, and even in the vicinity of Suriname.