Processing of Magnetite Ores with particular reference to Salem Magnetite

The paper deals with the common methods of beneficiating low-grade magnetite and the recent developments in the processing of concentrates. The results obtained in the laboratory on the beneficiation of low grade Salem magnetite assaying 36.5% Fe, 44.2% SiO2 and containing principally magnetite, quartz, hematite and goethite are presented. Using the same feed size of -48 mesh, tabling and magnetic separation yielded the same grade of concentrate assaying 62.5% Fe with a recovery of about 87.0%. The results of sintering studies on the magnetic concentrate are given. (S.K. Banerjee, Junior Scientific Officer and P.I.A. Narayanan, Assistant Director, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur).