Potential of Polymetallic Tailings as a Source of Barite

The research focuses on usability of tailings from the Talmovskie Peski and Ursk dumps in the Kemerovo Region as a manmade source of barite after suitable recovery and processing. Mineralogical, geochemical and typomorphic characteristics of barite are assessed from morphology, mineral associations, content and grain size distribution. The technological studies are accomplished, and barite concentrates are obtained from the test tailings by gravity separation and flotation. The concentrates are assessed with respect to barite content with a view to using the concentrates as a weighting material as per the USSR State Standard GOST 4682-84. The barite recovery potential of tailings from the Talmovskie Peski and Ursk dumps is evaluated.