FLOTATION BEHAVIOR OF SUDANESE CHROMITE ORES

Abstract

This study is concerned with the processing of low grade chromite ores, Ingassena Hills, Sudan, by froth flotation techniques. For this purpose, representative samples were taken from four different mines. Mineralogical examinations indicated that, the major minerals are chromite and serpentine. Olivine, iron oxides and talc have been identified as minor minerals. Adequate degree of liberation of chromite was obtained by grinding the ore to minus 180µm. Froth flotation was used to upgrade this chromite ore. Oleic acid was used as collector. Several operating parameters influencing the floatability of the Sudanese chromite ores were investigated. These include the collector and depressant dosages, pulp pH, and conditioning time. From an ore feed grading 20.27% Cr 2 O 3 , a chromite concentrate of 28.71% Cr 2 O 3 with recovery of 94.54 % could be obtained by flotation at collector dosage of 0.300 kg /t , pH 9 , 2 min conditioning time, and 20% pulp density.