Variability of Properties of Associated Resources of Shelly Phosphorite and Opportunities for Beneficiation

Complexes associated with shelly phosphorite contain critical raw materials for energy technologies and essential resources for sustainable agriculture, such as V in graptolite argillite and K-rich minerals in glauconitic sandstone. The development of phosphorite mining depends on the capability to find ways for waste-free mining and generating profits through sustainable co-products. The project explores technologies for valorising graptolite argillite and glauconitic sandstone, focusing on the Toolse and Aseri areas. Based on previous studies, the project advances the hydrometallurgical pathways for extracting enriched metals from graptolite argillite, including perspective high-pressure acid leaching. Secondly, innovative mechanical activation of glauconite for synthesising green agrochemicals is tested. Based on geological and physicochemical characteristics, models are created to predict the properties of the poorly studied glauconitic sandstone.