Mineralogical and physical studies of low-grade tantalum-tin ores from selected areas of Rwanda

• DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2021.100248
• Publication Date: 2021-07-04T13:45:19Z
• Authors: Jean Baptiste Hab...; Jeanne Pauline Mu...; Adelena R. Adetunji; Brajendra Mishra; Grace Ofori-Sarpong; Gbetoglo Charles ...; Himanshu Tanvar; Janvier Mukiza; Azikiwe P. Onwualu
• Keywords: Cassiterite; Columbite; Muscovite; Pegmatite

In this work, mineralogical and physical characterization of low-grade tantalum-tin ore-samples from Ntunga Kamonyi Rwanda were carried out using various techniques. The classified as non-radioactive ores they contained less than 0.1% Ta2O5 Nb2O5, the percentage radioactive oxides below critical value 0.5%. characteristic elements associated with tantalum detected quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy expressed for their natural occurrence included Ta2O5, Fe2O3, MnO, SnO2, MgO, TiO2, U3O8, ThO2, among others. Analysis samples in raw form showed presence valuable minerals cassiterite (0.067%–0.469%), columbite-(Fe) Nb2O5 (0.050%–0.062%) Fe2O3 (0.194%–0.769%), tantalite-(Mn) (0.039%–0.063%) MnO (0.080%–0.186%). Upon a rough gravity concentration, resulted concentrate compositions 66.14%SnO2, 7.66%Ta2O5 7.70%Nb2O5. These most particle sizes 125 μm disseminated within alumino-silicate matrix pegmatite rock. All nearly similar compositions, XRD results strongly supported observation, diffractograms showing identical peaks which matched mainly kaolinite, muscovite, quartz minerals. Peaks cassiterite, columbite tantalite not strong visible but upon became clear, sharp, strong. will serve baseline selecting designing appropriate processing technique to effectively harness mineral resource.