Recovery of Phosphate from the Cabaniss and Pleasanton Shales of Kansas

Abstract

Increased demands for phosphate plant nutrients gives impetus to studying the feasibility of extracting the phosphate-bearing nodules from Kansas shales. Preliminary tests on Cabaniss and Pleasanton shales include crushing and screening, weathering, calcining and screening, froth flotation and heavy media separation. Results of tests suggest that roasting plus heavy media separation would be a practical method for separating phosphate rock from the shale. U.S. consumption of phosphate rock is mostly in fertilizers with use in the West North-Central States having a growth rate of over 41 percent per year since 1945.