Agustin M. Fudolig*1, Juancho Pablo S. Calvez2, Bernardo V. Bitanga2
Rey V. Perucho2and Carla Joyce C. Nocheseda1
1Metals Industry Research and Development Center, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines 1631
2Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 1100
Executive Summary
The study aims to investigate the beneficiation of pre-concentrated magnetite sand gathered off-shore in Cagayan through magnetic separation and reverse flotation processes in order to obtain a marketable Fe grade of at least 58%Fe making them viable raw material to the ironmaking industry.
Magnetite sand mined offshore in Cagayan, Philippines undergo beneficiation on-site without grinding, where the resulting concentrate at relatively lower Fe grade are sold abroad as direct shipping ore. Further beneficiation of these pre-concentrated magnetite sand was conducted were the effects of grinding fineness, magnetic field densities and reverse flotation were investigated. It is shown that grinding prior to magnetic separation can increase Fe grade above 58%. The separation at a magnetic field density of 200 mT on cleaned magnetite sand concentrate (CMSC) grounded to 100% -45 μm size increased Fe grade from 52.0% to 61.20-61.72% and a decrease in %SiO2content.The use of reverse flotation to remove silica contamination resulted only to an increase in Fe grade from 52.0% to 53% total Fe in the Fe concentrate.
Any further information on the results of this study can be inquired from the Mineral Processing Research and Development Section-Metallurgical Technology Division, MGB through telephone number 02-86676700 local 161.