A Strategy for utilisation of low grade high phosphorus manganese ores in the production of high carbon ferro manganese

A two step process is outlined to utilise low grade high phosphorus ores containing Mn 31-35%, Fe 11-13%, S102 8-10%, P 0.35% to 0.5%, whereby in the first step, smelting is carried out in an Electric furnace to produce High MnO containing slag with equivalent Mn 45 to 50% which can be used as synthetic high grade ore and is almost free from phosphorus and iron.The metal obtained is "Spiegeleisen" containing 14 to 18% Mn and 1.5 - 2.0% phosphorus.

In the second step the high manganese slag from the first step is blended with additional quantities of low and medium grade manganese ores and smelled to produce high grade High carbon ferro manganese and a discard slag containing about 16.0% Mn. The smelting trials carried out at FACOR is briefly mentioned.