Beneficiation of low grade Uranium ore from Rajdah (Rangamati)

Abstract

A low grade uranium ore received for beneficiation tests assayed 0.032% U3O8 equivalent and contained principally quartz-biotite schist and quartzite. A mineral showing green fluorescence under an ultraviolet lamp was also present but could not be identified. Magnetic separation, tabling, electrostatic separation and flotation methods were studied under varying conditions, A high grade feebly magnetic concentrate assaying 0.686% U3O3 equivalent. With about 19% U3O8 recovery was obtained by straight tabling of the -35 mesh sample followed of the table concentrate. The non-magnetic fraction of the table concentrate when passed through an electrostatic separator produced a concentrate assaying 0.338% U3O8 equivalent with about 37% U3O8 recovery in the mixed product. The grade of concentrates obtained by flotation was low (about 0.16% U3O8) but the recovery in the product was 54.6%.