State of art characterization study of banded hematite jasper for the purpose of beneficiation

Abstract

Banded Hematite Jasper (BHJ) deposits are abundant reserves available in India and are currently not being used for production purposes due to its high Silica content. To recover values from BHJ, a novel beneficiation process strategy is to be developed with the knowledge of characterization. The present state of art characterization study of BHJ is designed to understand and formulate techno-economic viable beneficiation process to recover the iron values. The feed size-wise chemical analysis shows 40% Fe (T) with 41% Silica. Mineralogical studies identified Hematite and Quartz are the major mineral phases present in BHJ. Textural characterization study revealed the complex relationship of hematite and quartz due to its mineral association and intergrowth patterns developed among ore minerals and gangue minerals. The presence of Micro grains of Quartz in Hematite bands shows the difficulty in beneficiation of BHJ. The occurrence of free hematite is observed at a particle size < 50 μm.