Innovative process for the extraction of 99.99% high-purity quartz from high-silicon iron ore tailings

High-silicon iron ore tailings, typically regarded as a byproduct of iron ore processing, are utilized innovatively in this study for the extraction of 99.99% high-purity quartz (HPQ). An innovative process consisting of Wet High-Intensity Magnetic Separation (WHIMS) with refined two-stage mixed acid leaching was developed. Hazardous impurities, such as heavy metals, were significantly reduced by this approach, achieving a notable SiO2 purity of 99.99%. Significant outcomes include achieving a SiO2 purity of 99.99%, a total recovery rate of 38.04% from raw materials, and significant removal efficiencies for critical contaminants such as Fe (90.45%), Al (78.89%), and Ca (68.15%) after the two-stage acid treatment. Analytical techniques like SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray Diffraction), XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry), and FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) were utilized to monitor the migration of these impurities throughout the purification process, ensuring a safe and controlled treatment of the tailings. A viable method for HPQ extraction has been demonstrated and a model for sustainable mining waste management practices has been established through this research.