Characterization various tailing streams of an iron ore processing plant in Iran and their magnetic upgradation

Abstract

The various tailing streams of an iron ore processing plant were sampled, characterized and upgraded separately. The characterization results showed that the iron grade and dominant iron ore mineral vary from one stream to another tailing stream of the iron ore processing plant so that the total iron content of Cobber tailing was 22.13%, Rougher 43.09%, Finisher 62%, Cleaner 64.68%, overflow of Cobber tailing hydrocyclones 18.46%, underflow of Cobber tailing hydrocyclones 23.62% and tailing thickener underflow 28.92%. The other characterizations of the various tailing streams including particle size, dry solid tonnage rate, mineralogical and chemical compositions, and magnetic behavior by Davis tube tests were determined. The magnetic upgradation of the Cobber and Rougher tailings were performed by the wet magnetic separation at different magnetic field intensities of 2000, 3500, 5000 and 15000 Gauss. Furthermore, the effect of particle size of the Cobber and Rougher tailings was studied on the magnetic upgradation. A concentrate with the highest iron grade of 61.79% and yield of 52.15% was produced from the Rougher tailing. The results confirmed that the separate stockpiling of various tailing streams is a conscious strategy for the future reprocessing of the iron tailings.