The beneficiation of iron ore typically involves several processes to enhance the quality of the ore by removing unwanted impurities and improving its iron content. The main methods include:
Magnetic Separation: Utilizes the magnetic properties of the iron ore. Especially effective for ores with a higher concentration of magnetite.
Flotation: Involves the use of chemicals to make the iron ore particles hydrophobic, which allows them to separate from other materials when they are suspended in a liquid.
Gravity Separation: Uses the difference in density between iron ore and impurities to separate them. Methods include jigging, heavy media separation, and spiral concentrators.
Selective Flocculation: Suitable for finely dispersed ores. It involves adding reagents that cause iron-rich particles to clump together and separate from impurities.
Hydraulic Washing: Involves washing ores with water to remove lighter impurities.
These methods can be used individually or in combination to achieve the desired quality of iron ore.
