Pilot Plant studies on beneficiation and sintering of Kiriburu Iron ore for National Minerals Development Corporation Ltd.

Abstract

Pilot Plant studies were undertaken on beneficiation and sintering characteristics of a representative sample of iron ore from Kiriburu on behalf of National Mineral Development Corporation. These studies included crushing, scrubbing, screening, heavy –media separation and jigging. Studies on sintering characteristics of the washed ore fines were based on non-fluxing and self-fluxing sinters including optimum additions of MgO through dolomite. The results presented in this Report indicate that washing can successfully solve the problem of handling sticky and wet ore; besides, it will also yield enriched sized and prepared ore for blast furnaces, as well as washed ore fines for the production of requisite sinter –fluxing and non-fluxing. Heavy media separation and jigging of the washed products if employed can further improve the grade of iron ores and decrease their silica and alumina contents.