The Guaju mine, in the State of Paraíba, produces low quality zircon concentrate, because this concentrate contains a low grade of ZrO2 and a high grade of other undesirable substances in the raw material. Studies involving optic microscope, scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe in the zircon minerals showed characteristics that indicated the causes of the low quality of the concentrate: clay film involving the minerals, mineral inclusions and metamict zones in the zircons. The clay film interferes in the removal of the conductive and/or magnetic minerals, which go with the zircon during its treatment, contaminating the final raw material. The composition of the mineral inclusions is varied. The inclusions occur in about 28% of the zircons and they contaminate indirectly the final concentrate. The zircon metamictization is a process unchained in the structure of the mineral, due to U and Th decay. This process promotes the increase of chemical elements in the crystalline net.
zircon; characterization; dunes; metamictization
