Fluorescent and X-ray diffraction analysis for industrial wastes of the Comandante Pedro Soto Alba plant

It is presented a qualitative X-ray elemental fluorescence and diffraction analysis of the low-nickel portion (deands) of Cuban lateritic ores from Moa and Nicaro, the tailings of the Cuba nickel plant Comandante Pedro Soto Alba (in Moa) and its magnetic concentrated fractions (results of enrichment test in magnetizing roasting and wet magnetic separation). In all samples as main phase hematite (α-Fe2O3) is observed. In all deands samples there were also high concentrations of goethite (α-FeOOH) and aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)3). In the Nicaro deands, in addition to name above phases, a modification of delta-iron hydroxide, with Ni and/or Co substitutions in the forms delta-(Fesub(0,67)Nisub(0,33))OOH, delta-(Fesub(0,67)Cosub(0,33))OOH or delta-(Fesub(0,67)Nisub(x)Cosub(0,33-x))OOH seems possible. In Moa tailings besides the hematite, the more abundant phases are a basic hydrated aluminium sulphate and gypsum. The magnetic enriched fractions are practically by a spinel of the maghemite type, and chromium seems to be included into the spinel lattice. (author)