Tailings of iron ore deposited in dam: characterization for process definition for economic recycling

In the concentration of ores, part of the initial mass becomes tailings, being deposited in tailing dams, which may generate environmental liabilities. Thus, a study was carried out with an iron ore tailing, with the objective of defining a route for its beneficiation, based on the chemical-mineralogical-microstructural characterization. For this, optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and QEMSCAN analyses were performed. A major presence of compact hematite and a high degree of liberation have been observed. These aspects were considered favorable for treatment and use in blending with other products of the mineral sector. (author)