Mica Processing is the process of extracting mica from its natural deposits. It is a naturally occurring mineral with a variety of uses. Mica concentrate is a form of this mineral consisting of muscovite and a small amount of grit. Some grades are referred to as “flake mica” while others are more coarse and are used in decorative products and oil well drilling. In the process of Mica processing, the mineral goes through various transformations in order to extract the desired properties.
First, a main shaft is drilled through the pegmatite and driven at appropriate angles for strike and dip. From there, crosscuts and raises are developed to follow the promising exposures. The resulting pulp is pumped to rougher flotation cells, where the mica is collected. xuong cat mica The first flotation cell is charged with amine, and the rougher froth is recovered and cleaned three times. Mica concentration in the finished concentrate was 97.5 percent. Mica recovery in the combined flotation concentrates was 87.0 percent.
The negative layer charge of micas is generated by a combination of three mechanisms: substitution of R3+ by Si4+ in tetrahedra and vacancies in octahedra. Micas are negatively charged when exposed to light. In other words, they are not abrasive. This characteristic is a benefit to manufacturers who use mica in their products. This mineral has been found to be a valuable commodity for thousands of years.
Once the cleaner concentrate is separated from the overflow from the cycloning process, it passes over a series of launder screens. The launder screens remove fine-sized gangue minerals. The oversize is then fed to the hammer mill, which delaminates the mica and breaks up fine quartz adhering to the mica. The concentrate is then centrifuged and stored. It can be sold as mica powder or as a raw material.
The agglomeration process developed by COGEBI has successfully agglomerated mica fragments. This process utilizes a highly pressurized water jet to produce flat particles while still retaining the mica’s properties. The water slurry is then fed through a special machine that forms a continuous sheet of mica. It is important to note that no binding agent is necessary in this process. Mica particles are held together by natural surface attraction.
The development of mica processing began in the 1940s when scientists discovered that the platy form of mica allowed it to be preconcentrated prior to flotation. Humphreys spirals were used to separate limonite, quartz, and heavy minerals. During this process, 50 to 55 percent of the ore was rejected, which led to higher mica concentrations in the flotation feed. Eventually, the mica recovered over ninety percent of its total mass.
Understanding the supply chain is critical in enacting change. For Mica processing to be truly responsible, it must address all underlying causes of child labor and unsafe working conditions. The RMI program pillars of Responsible Mica include Community Empowerment, Mapping, and Workplace Standards. These three pillars work together to create a responsible mica supply chain. There are several different ways Mica is processed, but understanding its source is vital.