Mineral Processing
Mona Mohamed Fawzy; Mahinaz Shawky; Ahmed Ismail; Mostafa Bayoumi; Hassan Shahin; Bahaa Emad; Ahmed Orabi; Gehan Ali; Ahmed Abdelmouty; Mohamed Diab
Abstract
In response to rising global demand for critical minerals and the need for environmentally responsible resource utilization, this study explores sustainable recovery methods from low-grade placer deposits in the Wadi Rahba area along the Southern Coast of the Red Sea of Egypt. The focus is on the beneficiation ...
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In response to rising global demand for critical minerals and the need for environmentally responsible resource utilization, this study explores sustainable recovery methods from low-grade placer deposits in the Wadi Rahba area along the Southern Coast of the Red Sea of Egypt. The focus is on the beneficiation of ilmenite and titanite as primary valuable minerals. Twenty-eight samples, including a composite technology sample, were analysed using XRD, SEM-EDX, and ED-XRF techniques. Results indicate that total heavy mineral (THM) content ranges from 4.5% to 17.7%, averaging approximately 10%, with 11% in the composite sample. Identified valuable minerals include titanite, ilmenite, leucoxene, zircon, magnetite, and rutile, alongside high concentrations of heavy silicate minerals such as epidote, pyroxene, and amphiboles. Estimated contents are 0.44 wt.% titanite, 0.15 wt.% ilmenite, and trace amounts of zircon (0.04 wt.%), spessartine (0.01wt.%), and magnetite (0.29 wt.%). To enhance recovery, a combination of gravity separation (Wilfley shaking table) and magnetic separation techniques (LIMS and HIMS) were applied. These methods effectively concentrated titanite and ilmenite, achieving recovery rates of 85.08% and 79%, respectively. The findings highlight the potential for economically viable extraction from low-grade sources using environmentally sustainable physical upgrading techniques.
