Evaluation by multi gravity separator (MGS) of a low grade chromite tailing from Yesilova-Burdur (Turkey)

Abstract

In this study, concentrability by a Multi-Gravity-Separator (MGS) of the chromite tailings with content 23.84% Cr2O3 from Yeşilova-Burdur (Turkey) is investigated. Mineralogical analyses showed that the chromite tailings contain chromite and serpentine which formed as a result of alteration of serpantine group minerals such as olivines, chrysotile and talc. The tailings generated from chromite beneficiation plants in Turkey are generally concentrated by slime tables (Deister shaking tables) for producing the desirable saleable grade. However, slime tables are concentrating with low recovery for chromite minerals which are very fine particle size. MGS is an efficient method for separation of minerals by gravity at very fine particle size. In experimental studies, the effects of feed rate, washwater rate, drum speed and tilt angle, which are important for operating parameters of MGS observed for the low grade chromite tailings were investigated. As a result of the experimental studies performed, it was obtained a concentrate with saleable chromite grade and recovery from the tailings which is having size fraction under 0.075 mm