Dry Magnetic Separation of Bauxite Ore

Abstract

The paper describes the beneficiation results of the bauxite ore from Durgamanwadi mines to achieve a grade of the products conforming to refractory specification. Mineralogically, the bauxite was predominantly gibbsitic in nature with titanium and iron bearing minerals as main impurities which were intimately and intricately associ-ated with gibbistie. The sample was crushed to —2 mm and classified into 4 size fractions. Each were subjected to the dry magnetic separation using 'Permrol' supplied by the Ore Sorter, USA. The study indicated that the best separation result could be achieved at the optimum belt speed of 3 rpm on the —690+350 micron size fraction in respect of cleanliness of the product when compared to other two size fractions. Fe203 and TiO2 contents could be reduced to 1.52 % and 5.16 % in the concentrate from their respective values of 3.31 % and 7.31% in the feed.