Beneficiation of a low grade Manganese ore from Barajamda Area, Singhbhum District, Bihar

A low grade manganese ore from Barajamda area ,Singhbhum District, assaying 30.56% Mn, 44.46% MnO2, 10.22% Fe,28.32% SiO2, 5.6% Al2O3, 0.039% P and 0.4%BaO was received for beneficiation studies. Pyrolusito and psilomelane were the chief manganese minerals and quartz and goethite were the principal gangue minerals in the sample, The gangue minerals were liberated at-35 mesh size. Straight tabling at-35 mesh produced a concentrate assaying 47.6% Mn, 9.2%Fe and 6.0% SiO2 with a recovery 41.5% Mn only. Reduction roast followed by tabling and magnetic separation improved the grade of the 55.1% Mn. The recovery of manganese is expected to improve further if a lower grade concentrate can be used for the production of standard grade ferro-manganese.