Development of innovation routes for iron ore using high intensity magnetic separators.

Abstract

The mineral processing of low-grade iron ores commonly generates large vol- umes of slime, which are disposed as tailings. Modern mining requires strives to elimi- nate the use of tailings dams in a maximum effort to increase metallurgical recovery,

the security and reduction of the operational cost. This research aims for the recovery of iron contained in the slime, which consists of a material with 38% Fe and <40 μm,

originating from the desliming cyclones. Pilot tests were performed on the Wet High- Intensity Magnetic Separator (WHIMS) and on the Vertical Ring Pulsating High Gra- dient Magnetic Separator (VPHGMS) considering different configurations in terms of

operating parameters and routes. The best results were obtained for VPHGMS with an iron content in the concentrate of 67.06% and mass and metallurgical recovery of

32.42% and 56.86%, respectively. In the best condition tested, around 540 thou- sand tons of concentrate can be incorporated into production and has great envi- ronmental relevance.