Reduction of Silica content in a Magnesite sample from Tisco Employing Flotation

A 100 tons sample of magnesite assaying 3.0% SiO2 was received from M/s. Tata Iron & Steel Co, Ltd., Jamshedpur, to investigate the possibility of reducing its SiO2, content by employing Froth flotation. Fatty acid, as well as Cationic flotation studies, were investigated, after grinding the sample to suitable fineness, for the elimination of SiO2 from magnesite. Fatty acid flotation yielded magnesite concentrates assaying 0.62 to 1.47% SiO2, with conc. yields ranging from 42 to 82%. Cationic flotation produced a magnesite conc. assaying 1.18% SiO2 for a yield of 82%.