Radiometric sorting techniques for mining wastes from Ouenza iron mine (Algeria)

Baala, D.; Idres, A.; Bounouala, M.; Benselhoub, A.

Purpose. The research work deals with the characterization and the valorisation of waste rocks from Ouenza iron mine by physical methods. The chemical and mineralogical analyses carried out on the three categories taken from the dumps, allow us to distinguish three categories of materials on all the landfill sites, namely: hematite, which represents 30 %, marl 30 %, and limestone 40 %. These cause a problem of management and distribution of rocks at the surface. The objective of this research is to search for ways of removing the waste rocks from the iron mine of Ouenza. Methodology. To identify these waste rocks, a characterization was performed by XRD of the different categories and the initial sample, the chemical analysis of the three categories of materials from the dumps of Ouenza iron mine by FX. Tests to measure the mass attenuation coefficient of waste rocks samples by transmitting a <$E gamma>-beam in thin geometry were applied. Attenuation was studied for the 122, 244, 344 and 661 KeV energies emitted by the point sources of <^>152Eu and <^>137Cs, respectively. Findings. Different raw samples were analysed by DRX and FX. The obtained results show that the mineralogical composition includes: calcite, quartz and hematite. The best results are achieved with the following parameters: the thickness of the samples between 80 and 90 mm, the sample captures the whole gamma beam, and the range of energies is between 122 and 661 KeV, which strongly contributes to the radiometric separation of waste rocks from the iron mine of Ouenza, Algeria. Originality. It is possible to apply the radiometric method. This process allows selective sorting of the waste rocks of Ouenza using <$E gamma>-rays at different energies, taking into account the thickness and the iron content of the samples. The separation technique is simple and economical and does not require investments in heavy industrial equipment. Practical value. Iron ore is in great demand in the global market. However, waste rocks must be sorted and valued so that the product is merchantable. The iron ore processed by the technique suggested meets industrial requirements and international standards, in particular, in the iron and steel industry; the iron content is 67,13 %.


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