Recovery of magnetite-hematite concentrate from iron ore tailings

Abstract

The research is aimed at study of the probable recovery of iron from the tailings of the Olcon mining company located in the north-western Arctic zone of Russia. Material composition of a sample from a tailings dump was analysed. The authors have developed a separation production technology to recover magnetite-hematite concentrate from the tailings. A processing flowsheet includes magnetic separation, milling and gravity concentration methods. The separation technology provides for production of iron ore concentrate with total iron content of 65.9% and recovers 91.0% of magnetite and 80.5% of hematite from the tailings containing 20.4% of total iron. The proposed technology will increase production of the concentrate at a dressing plant and reduce environmental impact.