Beneficiation with decrepitation of colemanite tailings in Eti Bor in Hisarcik, Emet

In this study, the possibility to beneficiate fine tailings (-3 mm) of Emet Hisarcık Boron Plant, which cause both environmental problem and economic losses, is examined. first of all chemical, physical and physico-chemical characterization studies of the material have been performed. It has been determined that the representative sample taken from the waste dam has 23,63% B2O3 and 2080 ppm As2O3. As a result of the mineralogical examinations, it has been determined that the sample mainly consisted of colemanite, montmorillonite and calcite minerals. Also sample contains small amounts of dolamite and muscovite.The damages to the environment and storage losses are serious problems of Bor Mine Works managements. In experimental studies, it has been observed that the tailings samples contained 23,63 % B2O3 and significant amount of Arsenic (As) and Fe2O3. Decrepitation method is used to recover the B2O3 contents of the samples. Afterwards, flotation tests have been performed to increase a lot the B2O3 grade in colemanite.Keywords : Decrepitation, Flotation, Hisarcık Boron Plant, Calcination, Colemanit.