Beneficiation of Pyrite-Pyrrhotite from Saladipura area, District Sikar, Rajasthan Part -II

A mixed pyrite-pyrrhotite sample from the richer zone of 2 bore holes No.SPBH-10 and SPBH-11 from the Saladipura area of Rajasthan was received from the Geological Survey of India, Rajasthan Circle for beneficiation studies. It assayed 40.8% S, 42.1% Fe, and traces of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni and As. Pyrite and pyrrhotite were the principal metallic minerals in the sample followed by minor amounts of magnetite and chalcopyrite. Quartz and ferromagnesian minerals formed the major gangue. Liberation of pyrite and pyrrhotite from the gangue minerals occurred below 100 mesh. Straight flotation using potassium ethyl xanthate and pine oil yielded a rougher concentrate assaying 46.58% S with a recovery of 95.2% S. Two cleanings of the rougher float improved the grade of the concentrate to 48.43 %total S as FeS2, 45, 43% S as FeS2, 3.0% S as FeS, 46. 60% Fe, 0.94 SiO2, 0.083% Cu and traces of Pb, Zn and As with a sulphur recovery of 68.1%. The concentrate was suitable for acid manufacture.