Upgrading of Muro Toto iron ore gravity pre-concentrate by reverse froth flotation method

The possibility of upgrading a gravity pre-concentrate of Muro Toto Iron ore deposit by reverse froth flotation technique was investigated. A pre-concentrate assaying 40.3% Fe, 48.00% SiO2 was produced from a run-off mine ore assaying 31.53% Fe and 56.35% Si02. using gravity separation technique. This was then used as the feed to the reverse flotation tests. Eight different sets of reverse flotation tests were conducted at different pH levels and the concentrates and tailings produced were analysed for their iron content only. It was revealed that the best condition to float the silicates is at pH 10 which produced a concentrate with a grade of 60.9% Fe and recovery of 70.0%. The findings therefore indicate that the concentrate produced has met most of the requirements for use as feed to the Blast Furnace process route However, to increase the recovery and make the process more economically viable, the beneficiation route for the production of the concentrate may need modification.