Main characteristics of quartz-feldspar sands from the Khiva deposit, and the physico-chemical and technological fundamentals of obtaining an enriched concentrate

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This research presents studies on the beneficiation and application of quartz-feldspar sands from the “Khiva deposit” located in the Khorezm region of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the silicate industry. The composition of raw material samples was analysed using modern X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopic methods. Based on the results, the quantitative mineralogical composition of the samples was determined using the BGMN/Profex Rietveld software package. According to the obtained data, the average chemical composition of the raw material (in wt.%) was determined as follows: SiO₂ – 86.06; Al₂O₃ – 2.64; Fe₂O₃ – 1.37; CaO – 1.37; MgO – 0.22; K₂O – 1.30; Na₂O – 1.85; TiO₂ – 0.04; SO₃ – 0.4, with a loss on ignition of 4.93. The beneficiation processes of the raw material were studied. Based on the specific characteristics of the composition, it was found appropriate in subsequent studies to apply combinations of beneficiation methods such as washing, gravity separation, classification, attrition scrubbing, electromagnetic separation, and flotation. As a result, it was determined that the SiO₂ content in the beneficiated concentrate increased from 86.06% to 97.07%, while Al₂O₃ decreased from 2.64% to 1.06%, and Fe₂O₃ from 1.37% to 0.05%.