Magnetite ore of nagaland—its mineralogy and reduction kinetics

The magnetite body near Pokphur in the Kiphere district of Nagaland is geologically quite different and a rare type of occurrence associated with ophiolite. Mineralogical studies reveal the presence of magnetite, chromite and hematite followed by goethite, ilmentite, trevorite, pentlandite and millerrite. Magnetite grains are weathered to various degrees and sometimes fractured. Reduction studies indicate that in gas-solid system considerable reduction of magnetite ore takes place in initial 60 minutes, further the rate of reduction becomes slow. In gas-solid system the percentage reduction of magnetite ore is considerably more compared to solid-solid systems.