DefinePK

Abstract

With the increasing demand and depletion of high-grade ore deposit, attention is being diverted to recover the need from previously ignored, low grade ore deposits. The low grade ores are being processed by the different advance techniques of mineral processing. In this research Black Shale of Chimiari region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan was processed by floatation technique with three different reagents i.e. collectors (Sodium Amyl Xanthate and Sodium Ethyl Xanthate, triton-x-100), frothers (methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) and Pine oil) and depressant (sodium silicate) with varying dosage rates as well as particle size. Three different anionic collectors, one from oxyhydryl group (triton-x-100) and others from sulphydryl group (xanthates) have been tested. Results shows that Triton-X-100 gives highest recoveries among three collectors however, grades were not improved. Sodium ethyl xanthate gives more improved results for Cu, Zn, Ti and V etc. than sodium amyl xanthate. Keeping in view the grade–recovery aspect of Total carbon content (TCC), it was observed that a dosage rate of 200 g/t of sodium amyl xanthate give better results than triton-x-100 and sodium ethyl xanthate. Two frothers from neutral category, Methyl iso-butyl carbinol (MIBC) and Pine oil were also tested and it was found that the performance MIBC was impressive than Pine oil at same dosage rates. Sodium Silicate was used as depressant for the gangue minerals (clay and silica) and results reveals that at dosage rate of 1.5 kg/t clay minerals were depressed more than silicate. Similarly, tests were performed with heads of four particle sizes ranges of -53, -106+53, -150+106 and -212+150 microns respectively. Particle size analysis reveals that fine grinding improves recovery of TCC from 45% to 68%, while grads decreased. It was also found that fine grinding also improves recovery of heavy metals. The analysis of floated fractions with XRF and ICP-OES, also confirm the up-gradation of many base and heavy earth metals