TITLE:
Beneficiation and Characterization of Detrital Zircons from Beach Sand and Red Sediments in India
AUTHORS:
Sunita Routray, R. Bhima Rao
KEYWORDS:
Beach -Dune sand, Red Sediment, Zircon, Beneficiation, Characterization
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.10 No.15,
December
20,
2011
ABSTRACT: This paper deals with the recovery of zircon minerals from beach sand and red sediments of
bad land topography and flow sheets with material balance are suggested. The experimental
data reveal that the total heavy mineral content of red sediment sample is 43.9% in which
zircon mineral concentrate is 2.75% by weight, where as for beach-dune sand sample the
THM content is 16.7% in which zircon mineral concentrate is 0.16% by weight. It is found
that U and Th and REE elements contents are much higher in red sediment zircon sample
than beach sand zircon. Zircon concentrates recovered from beach-dune sand and red
sediments contain 98 to 98.1% zircon with 79.6 to 80% recovery respectively. These zircon
minerals from both the sources are suitable for industrial applications.