Analyzing petrographic characteristics and trace element distribution of high-purity quartz deposits from the Peshawar Basin, Pakistan: insights into processing and purification techniques
<p>This study examined the potential of quartz vein ore from the Peshawar Basin, Pakistan, as a raw material for producing high-grade, high-purity quartz sand. These samples were purified using a combination of methods including crushing, magnetic separation, ultrasonic cleaning, flotation, hi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2025-03-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Mineralogy |
| Online Access: | https://ejm.copernicus.org/articles/37/151/2025/ejm-37-151-2025.pdf |
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| Summary: | <p>This study examined the potential of quartz vein ore from the Peshawar Basin, Pakistan, as a raw material for producing high-grade, high-purity quartz sand. These samples were purified using a combination of methods including crushing, magnetic separation, ultrasonic cleaning, flotation, high-temperature calcination, water quenching, and acid leaching. Impurities in the quartz vein samples were analyzed through optical microscopy, SEM-CL, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS. Petrographic analysis revealed that the main impurities in quartz consisted of fluid inclusions, most of which were concentrated along the microfractures. After purification, the refined quartz sand exhibited a smooth surface with an extremely low concentration of gas–liquid inclusions. The ICP-OES bulk solution analysis of the raw quartz samples showed that the NB-1 SiO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> content is 99.989 wt %, NB-2 99.989 wt %, and NB-3 99.990 wt %. The total impurity content in raw quartz ore was 104.73 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> for NB-1, 102.25 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> for NB-2, and 95.01 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> for NB-3. After purification, the ICP-MS analysis indicates the SiO<span class="inline-formula"><sub>2</sub></span> content in processed quartz was 99.999 wt % for NB-1, 99.997 wt % for NB-2, and 99.998 wt % for NB-3, and the total for the 13 impurity elements' content of refined quartz sand was 12.08 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> for NB-1, 34.57 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> for NB-2, and 16.79 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> for NB-3. The main impurity elements, Li and Al, were found in the following concentrations: NB-1 contained 2.06 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> of Li and 9.16 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> of Al, NB-2 had 3.23 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> of Li and 30.15 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> of Al, and NB-3 showed 2.09 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> of Li and 13.68 <span class="inline-formula">µ</span>g g<span class="inline-formula"><sup>−1</sup></span> of Al. These impurities can be further reduced using more advanced techniques. Based on these results, these purified quartz sands are suitable for producing high-purity quartz products (4N7 to 4N9) that meet the standard requirements for crucible preparation for industrial applications. Therefore, these quartz vein ores are considered potential resources for high-purity quartz (HPQ).</p> |
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| ISSN: | 0935-1221 1617-4011 |