Abstract: The contents of valuable component P2O5 and harmful component MgO in a low grade apatite ore from Xinjiang are 4.82% and 14.54%,respectively.In order to determine the suitable development and utilization process,the comparative experimental study of flotation and gravity separation combined process with graded dry magnetic separation process was carried out on the basis of systematic process mineralogy research.The results showed that:① The contents of the main useful mineral apatite,comprehensive recovery of mineral biotite and gangue mineral diopside are 11.77%,20.60% and 63.99%,respectively.The particle size of apatite,diopside and biotite are coarse and easy to dissociate,which is conducive to the separation of apatite.② Compared with the graded dry magnetic separation process,the flotation and gravity separation combined process with similar apatite concentrate grade has a higher recovery rate with 22.42 percentage points higher and could comprehensively utilize biotite,which indicated better separation index.③ Phosphorus concentrate with yield of 14.60%,P2O5 contents of 31.87% and P2O5 recovery of 96.63% was obtained by the closedcircuit test process of "one roughing,one scavenging,two cleaning and middling returning step by step".④ For flotation tailings containing 24% biotite,biotite concentrate with mineral contents greater than 95% could be obtained through spiral chute gravity separation.The research results could provide reference for the development and utilization of the same type of phosphate resources.

Key words: low-grade apatite, process mineralogy, combination process, biotite