Floatation Studies on Processing of a Low Grade Uranium Ore

Abstract

This paper deals with the results of flotation studies carried towards pre-concentration of a low-grade uranium ore sample from Domiasiat, Meghalaya. A comb-ination of potassium amyl xanthate, cupferron and light diesel oil was used as collector for flotation of uran- ium bearing minerals in the sample. The effects of vari-ous process parameters were studied. Under the optimum conditions the flotation concentrate weighed about 35 % with over 90 % recovery. Flotation with classified / deslimed feed also resulted in similar metallurgical results. Use of diethyl hexyl phosphoric acid, alamine 336 & tri-butyl phosphate in combination with potassium amyl xanthate and light diesel oil, as the alternate reagent scheme, also gave reasonably high uranium recovery.