Beneficiation of low grade Magnetite from Salem, Madras

The results of studies on beneficiation of a magnetite ore assaying 36.5% Fe and 44.2% SiO2 and containing principal magnetite, quartz, hematite, goethite, Kyanite and sillimanite are presented. Dry magnetic separation of the sample did not produce satisfactory results. Wet magnetic separation at -40 and -65 mesh sizes yielded magnetic concentrates of about 88 % iron in both cases. Dry magnetic separation at -10 mesh followed by wet produced a final concentrate assaying 61.98% Fe and 12.1% gave a concentrate assaying 65.21% Fe and 8.8% SiO2 with an overall recovery of 82.8% Fe, but higher recovery could be obtained at the separation at -65 mesh can, therefore, yield nearly the same results, because the slime and tailing loss during tabling almost balanced the loss of hematite in the non-magnetite product. Results obtained by pilot plant trials employing tabling as well as magnetic separation are also presented.