Abstract
Itakpe and Agbaja iron ores are part of prominent iron deposits in Nigeria, yet studies on their beneficiation via froth flotation are relatively limited. Thus, this research investigated comparatively the flotation behaviour of both ores at varied pulp pH, particle size, and collector type. The ores were also examined using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Petrological, and fractional sieve size analyses. Fifty (50) kg sample each of the ores was sourced for the research. Then, size fractions (63, 75, and 125 mm) of each ore were prepared and subjected to froth flotation using different collectors; Potassium Amyl Xanthate (PAX), Sodium Ethyl Xanthate (SEX), and Oleic Acid, at varying pulp pH ranging from 9-11. From the results obtained Itakpe iron ore assayed 36.18% Fe2O3 and contains predominantly haematite, sillimanite, and quartz while Agbaja iron ore contains chiefly, quartz and haematite, and assayed 40.6% Fe2O3 alongside 1.505% P2O5. The liberation sizes of both ores lie favouraby in the range -125+75 µm. Beneficiation studies carried out revealed that significant enrichment of both ores was actualized. Thus, it was established that Itakpe iron ore is best processed using PAX at pH 11 and particle size of 125 µm yielding concentrates assaying 67.66% Fe2O3 at a recovery of ~90% while for Agbaja iron ore, PAX at pH 9 and particle size of 63 µm is considered best to yield enriched concentrates assaying 65.5% Fe2O3 at 52.5%.recovery.
Highlights
Nigeria’s iron ore exploration dated as far back as the1970s when viable quantities were discovered at Itakpe, Kogi State with an estimated reserve of 200 million tonnes [1]
It was established that Itakpe iron ore is best processed using Potassium Amyl Xanthate (PAX) at pH 11 and particle size of μm yielding concentrates assaying 67.66% Fe2O3 at a recovery of ~90% while for Agbaja iron ore, PAX at pH 9 and particle size of 63 μm is considered best to yield enriched concentrates assaying 65.5% Fe2O3 at 52.5% recovery
While the mineral grains contained in Agbaja iron ore are quartz (SiO2) and haematite (Fe2O3) alongside other opaque minerals having a relative abundance of 58%
Summary
1970s when viable quantities were discovered at Itakpe, Kogi State with an estimated reserve of 200 million tonnes [1]. Other deposits explored include Agbaja, Ajabanoko, and Chokochocko; Agbaja’s reserve, estimated to be about 2 billion tonnes has been the largest so far [1][2]. These discoveries birthed processing plants such as the Ajaokuta. Steel Company charged with processing iron ore sourced from Itakpe deposit into steel and other products [3]. The modalities of this industry entail several plants, among.
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