Chapter 2 - Iron ore beneficiation: an overview

Abstract

Indian steel industry is going through a development phase due to the increasing demand for steel. At the current rate of GDP growth, this demand will increase and reach up to 300 MT by 2030. Yet, India’s per capita consumption would reach only 160–180kg (currently approximately 69kg), which will be lower than the current global average of 208kg. Hence, to meet the growing steel demand, the demand for iron ore is also increasing. However, on one hand a good quality iron ore reserve is depleting while on the other hand steel companies require better quality of iron ore with lower gangue content due to the addition of higher capacity blast furnaces for higher productivity, lower hot metal cost, and lower CO2 footprint for sustenance. Currently, a general practice adopted by the majority of steel companies has been the utilization of medium- to high-grade ore for iron-making process. This was mainly achieved by selective mining of high-grade ore, keeping the cut-off to approximately 55% Fe. However, due to growing demand of the iron ore, this is not sustainable, therefore the cut-off grade is now revised by the Indian Bureau of Mines to 45% Fe for hematitic and geothitic ores. In addition to this, stringent environmental regulations involved in the opening of new mines and the problems involved in disposal of tailings (slimes), it is the need of the hour to effectively beneficiate low-grade iron ore to make it suitable for iron-making process. The iron ore industries of India are expected to bring new technologies to cater to the need of the increasing demand of quality ores for steel making. This chapter briefly discusses the current scenario of the iron ore resources in India, iron ore mining methodology, beneficiation technique, and the current operating practices for achieving sustainable growth in the iron and steel industry.