A fundamental investigation into wollastonite beneficiation: physicochemical properties and process mineralogy

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Wollastonite is a calcium silicate industrial mineral, which is commonly used as a filler in paints and plastics. It is also used in the construction industry as a substitute for asbestos; ceramic applications including ceramic glazes and bodies; in metallurgical applications wollastonite is commonly added to formulated powders for steel casting and welding. Wollastonite is mined across the globe, with major deposits found in China (China being the main producer) as well as in India and the United States of America. To date, little work has been conducted on the extraction of wollastonite from its ores, or on the physico-chemical properties of this mineral. As such, this project is centred on determining the physico-chemical properties of wollastonite and other minerals within the Seeley's Bay deposit in Ontario, and using this knowledge to improve the understanding of wollastonite processing. This will have implications for both the Seeley's Bay deposit, and other wollastonite deposits globally. This project will investigate the properties of wollastonite and how these can be utilised in separation systems to produce a sustainable high grade concentrate to be used in various industries. Canada is one of the most important mining nations in the world, producing more than 60 minerals and metals. Mining and mineral processing has long been one of the country's key wealth generators. In 2014 the sector employed approximately 375,000 people and contributed $57 billion to Canada's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for 18.2% of the value of Canadian goods exports. Improved knowledge of the processing of valuable minerals is of vital importance to Canada, and the sustainable processing of these deposits, both in recovering the valuable minerals and in reducing the negative impact of the mining industry is required.