High Performance Process Development for Iron Ore Concentration
References on microwave energy use were reviewed and it demonstrated wide use of this kind of energy in various sectors of national economy. However in ferrous metallurgy this type of energy practically is not used despite the fact that it holds much promise and offers a number of advantages over other kinds of energy. In this work an attempt was made to use microwave energy in ferrous metallurgy and it was implemented in terms of concentration process development for limonite ores of the Lisakskoye deposit with hydro-goethite being a base iron-bearing mineral. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the subsequent magnetic separation process were determined. The developed concentration process of the Lisakovskoye deposit ores with the microwave energy used for baking and magnetizing of intermediate concentration products was compared with the current deep concentration process of the Lisakovskiy Mining and Processing Works and its advantages were demonstrated. Technical and economic calculation showed that the concentration process with microwave energy used is more efficient than deep concentration process without the product baking; it allows a significant increase of iron recovery into the concentrate and provides additional profit to the Company.