Comparison of selective flocculation of low grade goethitic iron ore fines using natural and synthetic polymers and a graft copolymer

Abstract

This study aims to beneficiate low grade goethitic iron ore fines using a selective flocculation process. Selective flocculation studies were conducted using different polymers such as starch amylopectin (AP), poly acrylic acid (PAA), and a graft copolymer (AP-g-PAA). The obtained results were analyzed; they indicate the enhancement of the iron ore grade from 58.49% to 67.52% using AP-g-PAA with a recovery of 95.08%. In addition, 64.45% Fe with a recovery of 88.79% was obtained using AP. Similarly, using PAA, the grade increased to 63.46% Fe with a recovery of 82.10%. The findings are also supported by characterizing concentrates using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques.