Recovery of Magnesium Oxide from Kimberlite Tailing of Panna Diamond Mines

Abstract

Caustic Magnesia is also known as reactive magnesia. In the present study, process has been developed for recovery of caustic magnesia from kimberlite waste of Panna Mine. Panna Diamond Mining Project is the only mine in the country producing diamond. This is an open cast mine producing about 84000 carats diamonds per annum. About 100 tones of kimberlite have to be processed to get 10 carats (2 grams) of diamonds. Thus, about 0.9 million tons of kimberlite waste is being generated annually. Around 6-7 million tons of kimberlite waste is already available at Panna Mines, accumulated over the years waste during mining. Therefore, there is a need to look for development of bulk usage from the kimberlite. Technological option for Eco- friendly & Economically Efficient has to develop. In view of their wide application, and bulk usage, the caustic magnesia was identified to be developed from Kimberlite. Recovery of caustic magnesia from kimberlite tailing of Panna Diamond Mine is a novel chemical process, to prepare caustic magnesia from waste material. The process comprises i) Leaching, ii) filtration of leach liquor, iii) Precipitation of filtrate to get R2O3 and filtrate, iv) Precipitation of magnesium hydroxide, v) Washing and drying of magnesium hydroxide precipitate to remove sodium ions and surface moisture, vi) Calcinations of dried Magnesium hydroxide to get caustic magnesia which can be used in pharmaceutical industries, as animal feed, Mg metal etc.