Selective Flocculation Enhanced Magnetic Separation of Ultrafine Disseminated Magnetite Ores

Simple magnetic separation for a certain magnetite mine with ultrafine disseminated lean ores has resulted in low performance, as the fine sizes and aggregation of ground mineral particles have caused inefficient recovery of the ultrafine minerals. In this study, we attempt to increase the apparent sizes of target mineral particles, and improve the separation indices, by using a multi-stage grinding-dispersion-selective flocculation-weak magnetic separation process. The results showed that under the conditions of 500 g/t sodium hexametaphospate (SHMP) as dispersant, 750 g/t carboxymethyl starch (CMS) as flocculant, agitating at 400 rpm for 10 min, with slurry pH 11, and final grinding fineness of 93.5% less than 0.03 mm, the obtained concentrate contained 62.82% iron, with recovery of 79.12% after multi-stage magnetic separation. Compared to simple magnetic separation, the concentrate's iron grade increased by 1.26%, and a recovery rate by 5.08%. Fundamental analysis indicated that, in a dispersed state of dispersion, magnetite particles had weaker negative surface charges than quartz, allowing the adsorption of negative CMS ions via hydrogen bonding. Consequently, the aggregate size of the initial concentrate increased from 24.30 to 38.37 m, accomplishing the goal of selective flocculation, and increasing the indices of separation.