Dr. J. Temuujin, Academician of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences

1. Research on Value Adding to
Minerals in Mongolia
Jadambaa Temuujin
Dr.(ScD), Academician of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences

2. “From Exploration and Exploitation
to Development”
Value addition to Minerals Industry
Motto of this year:

3. Typical minerals operation…
• discovery of deposit
– resource definition
• mine planning
– UG or open pit
• minerals processing
– flotation
– gravity
– etc
• chemical extraction
– hydrometallurgy
– pyrometallurgy

4.  rock
 high grade deposits
 direct industrial use
 iron ore, phosphates, limestone etc
 concentrate
 low grade deposits
 physically upgraded
 sulphides, gold etc
 metal
 from concentrate
 requires chemical processing
 high purity
value
per
tonne
Possible products….

5. Value adding is the key
ilmenite
synthetic rutile
pigment rutile
Ti metal
%Ti
200
400
2000
20000
US$ / tonne
31.6
~55
60.0
>99.9

6. Value adding
I. producing purer products
II. producing more sophisticated
products
III. decreasing impact on environment
IV. building for the future

7. Achievements and capabilities of
Mongolian minerals researchers
Technology of processing of synchysite
(Ca(Ce,La)(CO3)2F)
Preparation of a mixed rare earth oxides
and cerium oxide with 98-99% purity
Fig.5 Technological scheme for preparing mixed rare earth oxides
Ore
(REE 3-8%)
Enrichment
(gravitation)
Synchysite concentrate
(REE 20-28%)
Roasting
(700o
C, 120min)
Dissolution
(HNO3 57%, S:L=1:2, 2h)
Non-soluble
remaining
Nitric acid solution of
Rare earth elements
Precipitation of mixed rare earth oxalates by
adding oxalic acid(H2C2O4)
RE2O3
(650o
C, 1h)
RE2(C2O4)3
RE(OH)3
(2.5N NaOH)
Synchysite Ca(Ce,La)(CO3)2F is
one of only a few rare earth
carbonate minerals.
It never been considered an
economic source of rare earth
oxides (REO).

8. Conventional processing of Molybdenite:
-Pyrometallurgical (roasting with soda or lime)
-Hydrometallurgical (direct leaching by acid)
Alternative processing:
-Very intensive grinding to increase its
solubility (however molybdenite is highly
stable to mechanical activation because of its
layered structure
Processing of molybdenite

9. Na2O2, kmol
MoS2,
kmol
2MoS2 + 6Na2O2 = 3Na2S +
2Na2MoO4 + Na2SO4
0
30
60
90
120
150
0 2 4 6
Grinding time, h
Solubility,mg/l
Processing of molybdenite
A new processing method
2. Preparation of MoS2 based solid lubricant with
99% purity

10. Value added product by natural
wolframite
Conventional fabrication process of WC, W+C-blending and
calcining at very high temperature, e.g. 1400-2000oC, under
reducing gas, e.g. H2 or CO
FeWO4 + 5C  WC + Fe + 4CO
Fe3W3C
WC
вольфрамит
50nm
Alternative
processing
route

11. Industrial interest
Can we perform value addition of Mongolian
minerals at the industrial scale?
Want to say : Yes

12. Industry has only 1 requirement

13. Requirements for industry…
 bulk processing capacity
 >5000tpa
 minimal energy costs
 minimisation of grind time (milling energy increases exponentially as the particles get
smaller, the current residence time for size reduction is ~20mins)
 advantages over current processes
 simpler route (less unit operation = lower capex + simpler control)
 fewer or less expensive reagents (lower opex)
 less environmental impact (less toxic or less unsaleable by-products)
 more valuable product (metal or other value added material)
 retrofitting
 equipment can be readily integrated into current flowsheet

14. What are geopolymers
+ =
Fly ash
• Geopolymers are a synthetic inorganic polymer produced by
the alkali activation of aluminosilicate raw materials.
• Primarily applied as a replacement for Portland cement
• Intrinsically fire resistant

15. Applications of Geopolymers
Applications of geopolymers
Cement replacement Other applications
Most ready
mix applications
Sewerage pipes
Precast panels
Refractory bricks
Fireproof barriers
Mine backfill
Waste containment
Road bases and
marine structures
Ceramic precursor
Aerated wall boards
(thermal insulation)
Applications of geopolymers
Cement replacement Other applications
Most ready
mix applications
Sewerage pipes
Precast panels
Refractory bricks
Fireproof barriers
Mine backfill
Waste containment
Road bases and
marine structures
Ceramic precursor
Aerated wall boards
(thermal insulation)

16. Mine backfill
Source: M.Drechsler Andrew Graham, Innovative Materials Technologies: Bringing Resource Sustainability to
Construction and Mining Industries, 48th Institute of Quarrying Conference, 12-15 October 2005, Adelaide SA

17. Ongoing and planned projects of
thermal power plants
Source: Yeren-Ulzee, www.energy.gov.mn
There will be a plenty of raw materials for the geopolymer application.

18. Mongolian scientists are
ready to cooperate with you
Thank you for the attention!