Beneficiation and Sintering studies of Iron ore from Bailadila Mines (Deposit No. 14) of National Mineral Development Corporation

Abstract

Systematic and exhaustive pilot plant studies on the beneficiation and sintering characteristics of number of Indian Iron Ore samples have already been completed in the National Metallurgical laboratory. At the instance of Messrs. National Mineral Development Corporation, beneficiation and sintering studies were undertaken on a sample of iron ore from Bailadila Iron Ore Mine (Pit No. 14); this report presents the results obtained by wet screening and jigging of a representative portion of the sample .The results indicate that, besides solving the problem of ore handling; wet screening has resulted in yielding sized lumpy ore free from adherent fines for direct charging into the iron blast furnace or for export. By employing jigging of the ore fines, the silica and alumina contents could be appreciably lowered, yielding an upgrade product suitable for “sinter” production. Comprehensive studies undertaken on sintering characteristics of the -3/8”(-9.5 mm) upgrade fines, indicated that good metallurgical grade sinters could successfully produced. The addition of 2-3% of freshly prepared burnt lime to the sinter mix along with limestone and dolomite resulted in higher rate of sintering without affecting the sinter quality to any appreciably extent. Employing mixed firing techniques for sintering, upto 40% of the solid fuel could be replaced by gaseous fuel to yield sinters of good quality possessing high degree of oxidation.