Microelement composition of vein quartz of the Kuznechikhinskoe deposit (South Urals)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a quantitative analysis of impurity elements present in the structural form and composition of mineral and fluid inclusions in the quartz of the Kuznechikhinskoe deposit. The studies have been carried out using ICP–OES and FT–IR spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and gas chromatography. It has been shown that the concentrations of mineral and fluid inclusions are low due to the deposit formation conditions, which positively affects the purity of quartz concentrates obtained. The main impurity is Al, present in the composition of mineral and fluid inclusions and in the crystal lattice of quartz itself. Spectroscopic studies allowed localizing impurities in the quartz and selecting an effective staged concentration process. The quartz samples are first crushed to the fraction of 0.1 to 0.4 mm, then subjected to electromagnetic separation, agglomeration treatment, and microwave decrepitation, and, at the final stage, undergo acid treatment in a combination of hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids. The finishing deionized water washing and drying complete the deep concentration process to produce high-purity concentrates.