Applicability of Mozley multigravity separator (MGS) to fine chromite tailings of Turkish chromite concentrating plants

• Published in: Minerals engineering Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 91 - 93
• Main Authors: CICEK, T, CÖCEN, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Fine particle processing; Flotation. Enrichment. Beneficiation; Gravity concentration; Metals. Metallurgy; Ores; Production of metals; Recycling; Tailings; Fine particle processing; Recycling; Gravity concentration; Tailings; Chromites; Separation; Concentration; Experimental study; Ore concentration; Separator
• ISSN: 0892-6875; 1872-9444
• DOI: 10.1016/S0892-6875(01)00195-9

The total amount of fine chromite gravity tailings in Turkey is around 3,000,000 tons with a quite high Cr 2O 3 content of about 9–20%. These fines are produced as a result of the inefficiency of conventional separation equipment at fine particle size due to finely grained feed and optimization problems. In this study, the applicability of enhanced gravity concentration technique for recovering fine chromite from the gravity tailings of four different chromite concentrators of Turkey is investigated using a laboratory/pilot scale Mozley multigravity separator (MGS). The results of the investigation have revealed that a considerable amount of fine chromite can be produced from the fine gravity tailings of Turkish chromite concentrating plants. The amount of recoverable chromite fines from the stockpiled or ponded Turkish chromite gravity tailings is around 300,000–400,000 tons. Two types of MGS fines recovery units were proposed. Type A is foreseen for treatment of already stockpiled tailings and Type B is thought as a retrofit in an existing plant for recovering of fines during production. Preliminary economical evaluations showed that both types of MGS fines recovery units have very short pay back times.