Evaluation of Advanced Gravity and Magnetic Concentration of a PGM Tailings Waste for Chromite Recovery

This research was aimed at evaluating the efficiency of advanced gravity and magnetic separations on the recovery of chromite from the fine Platinum Group Metals (PGM) tailings consisting of particles ۸۰% passing ۷۵ µm with about ۴۵% being >۴۵ µm resulting in high chromite losses. The PGM plant tailings were subjected to X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy and particle size distribution analyses. The feed was then optimally classified with ۶۰ mm diameter hydro-cyclone into underflow and overflow streams. The coarser underflow was further beneficiated using the spiral concentrator. The results obtained showed that the removal of fines increased the Cr۲O۳ grade for the spiral feed from ۱۲.۲۷% to ۱۷.۶۴% while spiral concentrate grade improved from ۱۴.۸۴% to ۲۱.۴۶% and recovery ۶۹.۸۵% to ۹۵.۵۳%. Magnetic separation efficiency was found to increase with particle size such that at >۷۵ µm a concentrate with up to ۱۷.۱۳% grade and ۶۱.۵% recovery was achieved. The advanced Falcon concentration was also observed to be mainly particle size dependent and at ۴۵ µm up to ۱۷% grade and ۶۰.۳% recovery was achieved. The results obtained are based on particles >۴۵ µm and the finer particles

کلیدواژه ها:

Tailings ، analyses ، classified ، beneficiated ، Efficiency