Upgrading of Muro Toto iron ore gravity pre-concentrate by reverse
froth flotation method
Yaro,
S. A.
National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos
Abstract
The possibility of
upgrading a gravity pre-concentrate of Muro Toto Iron ore deposit by
reverse froth flotation technique was investigated. A
pre-concentrate assaying 40.3% Fe, 48.00% SiO2 was
produced from a run-off mine ore assaying 31.53% Fe and 56.35% Si02.
using gravity separation technique. This was then
used as the feed to the reverse flotation tests. Eight different
sets of reverse flotation tests were conducted at different pH
levels and the concentrates and tailings produced were analysed for
their iron content only. It was revealed that the best condition to
float the silicates is at pH 10 which produced a concentrate with a
grade of 60.9% Fe and recovery of 70.0%. The findings therefore
indicate that the concentrate produced has met most of the
requirements for use as feed to the Blast Furnace process route
However, to increase the recovery and make the process more
economically viable, the beneficiation route for the production of
the concentrate may need modification.
