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Investigation of the Susceptibility of Muro Iron Ore to Gravity Concentration

Olushola Bamidele Nenuwa, Oladunni Oyelola Alabi

Abstract

In this study, heavy medium separation was used to assess the susceptibility of Muro iron ore to gravity concentration. Four iron ore samples were collected from the Muro iron ore deposit located in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The samples were processed by crushing, grinding and homogenisation to produce the feed used for this work. 80g of the feed was charged into a beaker containing 50 ml of bromoform and thoroughly stirred. The mixture was allowed to separate into float and sink, which were removed, rinsed, dried, and weighed. The feed, float, and sink were chemically analysed using an Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (ED-XRF). A performance evaluation of the separation process was carried out using the metallurgical accounting principle. The concentration criterion of the HMS was also evaluated based on the specific gravities of the separating medium, light mineral and heavy mineral. The XRF results revealed that the feed (crude iron ore) had a total iron (Fe) content of 33.56%, classifying it as medium-grade iron ore. The float (tailing) and sink (concentrate) assayed 19.36% and 53.66% total iron, respectively. This indicated that the sink, which is the concentrate, is richer in iron content compared to the feed and float. The performance evaluation of the process revealed that the recovery of the operation is 66.19%, the concentration ratio is 2.42, the enrichment ratio is

Keywords

Gravity concentrationHeavy medium separationMetallurgical accounting principleMuro iron orePre-concentrationRecovery

References

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