Recovery of iron from high phosphorus oolitic iron ore using coal-based reduction followed by magnetic separation

Oolitic iron ore is one of the most important iron resources. This paper reports the recovery of iron from high phosphorus oolitic iron ore using coal-based reduction and magnetic separation. The influences of reduction temperature, reduction time, C/O mole ratio, and CaO content on the metallization degree and iron recovery were investigated in detail. Experimental results show that reduced products with the metallization degree of 95.82% could be produced under the optimal conditions （i.e., reduction temperature, 1250℃; reduction time, 50 min; C/O mole ratio, 2.0; and CaO content, 10wt%）. The magnetic concentrate containing 89.63wt% Fe with the iron recovery of 96.21% was obtained. According to the mineralogical and morphologic analysis, the iron minerals had been reduced and iron was mainly enriched into the metallic iron phase embedded in the slag matrix in the form of spherical particles. Apatite was also reduced to phosphorus, which partially migrated into the metallic iron phase.

Effect of reduction roasting by using bio-char derived from empty fruit bunch on the magnetic properties of Malaysian iron ore

Beneficiation of Malaysian iron ore is becoming necessary as iron resources are depleting. However, the upgrading process is challenging because of the weak magnetic properties of Malaysian iron ore. In this study, bio-char derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch （EFB） was utilized as an energy source for reduction roasting. Mixtures of Malaysian iron ore and the bio-char were pressed into briquettes and subjected to reduction roasting processes at 873-1173 K. The extent of reduction was estimated on the basis of mass loss, and the mag-netization of samples was measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. When reduced at 873 K, the original goethite-rich ore was converted into hematite. An increase in temperature to 1073 K caused a significant conversion of hematite into magnetite and enhanced the magnetic susceptibility and saturation magnetization of samples. The magnetic properties diminished at 1173 K as the iron ore was par-tially reduced to wustite. This reduction roasting by using the bio-char can assist in upgrading the iron ore by improving its magnetic proper-ties

Magnetic Mineralogical Characteristics of Hamersley Iron Ores in Western Australia

This paper presents the research outcomes of a magnetic mineralogical study on Hamersley iron ores. Thermal magnetic analysis shows that typical high-grade martite-microplaty hematite or M- (mpl H) and martite-microplaty hematite-goethite or M-(mpl H)-g ores contain a small amount of original magnetite. A small amount of magnetite/maghemite and pyrite/pyrrhotite/siderite may exist in typical martite-goethite (M-G) and martite-ochreous goethite (M-oG) ores. In “the hardcap zone”, M-(H)-g ores contain a small amount of magnetite and maghemite. Compared with XRD, thermal magnetic analysis is not only more sensitive in identifying trace of magnetite contained in high-grade hematite ores, but also more diagnostic in identifying other unstable magnetic minerals like maghemite and pyrite/pyrrhotite/siderite co-existed in the ores.

Removal of Silica and Alumina as Impurities from Low-Grade Iron Ore Using Wet High-Intensity Magnetic Separation and Reverse Flotation

This study investigates the removal of silica and alumina as impurities from hematite based low-grade iron ore containing 34.18 mass% iron, 31.10 mass% of silica and 7.65 mass% alumina. Wet high-intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS) and reverse flotation (RF) were investigated. In WHIMS process, 93.08% of iron was recovered with a grade of 53.22 mass% at an optimum magnetic density of 10,000 mT, and pulp density of 2% used the L-4 machine. In RF experiments, optimal results showed 95.95% of iron recovered with 51.64 mass% grade using 1 kg/t of 1% alkaline starch as iron depressant and 1:1 mixture ratio of 0.75 kg/t DAA and NaOL as silica and alumina collectors. The designed multi-stage process involving feeding the concentrate from WHIMS into RF process reduced silica to 2.02 mass%, alumina to 1.04 mass% whilst recovering 81.94% of the iron with 67.27 mass% grade. As a result of this research, a process to produce high quality iron concentrate from hematite based low-grade iron ore with high iron recovery rate was constructed.

Application of Magnetic Survey in the Investigation of Iron Ore Deposits and Shear Zone Delineation: Case Study of Mutomo-Ikutha Area, SE Kenya

The main objective of this research was to use ground magnetic survey to delineate shear zone and iron ore deposit within the Neoproterozoic rocks of Mutomo-Ikutha area of south eastern Kenya. Total field magnetic data was recorded by using high resolution proton precision geometric magnetometer which recorded total components of the ground magnetic anomaly data running through sixteen traverses. The field data was qualitatively and quantitatively interpreted and the results gave values for the total component measurements of ground magnetic anomaly that varied between a minimum negative peak value of about 250 nanoTesla and a maximum of about 1000 nanoTesla. 550 nanoTesla was considered to be threshold of the iron mineralization within the area. The results indicated that the western part of Mutomo-Ikutha was sheared, faulted and contained iron ore mineralization trending in the north-south direction. Areas with high anomalous values were geochemically proven to contain magnetite.

Upgrading and dephosphorization of Western Australian iron ore using reduction roasting by adding sodium carbonate

The technology of direct reduction by adding sodium carbonate （Na2CO3） and magnetic separation was developed to treat Western Australian high phosphorus iron ore. The iron ore and reduced product were investigated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It is found that phosphorus exists within limonite in the form of solid solution, which cannot be removed through traditional ways. During reduction roasting, Na2CO3 reacts with gangue minerals （SiO2 and A1203）, forming aluminum silicate-containing phosphorus and damaging the ore structure, which promotes the separation between iron and phosphorus during magnetic separation. Meanwhile, Na2CO3 also improves the growth of iron grains, increasing the iron grade and iron recovery. The iron concentrate, assaying 94.12wt% Fe and 0.07wt% P at the iron recovery of 96.83% and the dephosphorization rate of 74.08%, is obtained under the optimum conditions. The final product （metal iron powder） after briquetting can be used as the burden for steelmaking by an alactrie a.re furnace to rer）la,ce scrar） steel.

Dolochar as a reductant in the reduction roasting of iron ore slimes

The present investigation examines the viability of dolochar, a sponge iron industry waste material, as a reductant in the reduction roasting of iron ore slimes, which are another waste generated by iron ore beneficiation plants. Under statistically determined optimum conditions, which include a temperature of 900°C, a reductant-to-feed mass ratio of 0.35, and a reduction time of 30–45 min, the roasted mass, after being subjected to low-intensity magnetic separation, yielded an iron ore concentrate of approximately 64 wt% Fe at a mass recovery of approximately 71% from the feed iron ore slime assaying 56.2 wt% Fe. X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that the magnetic products contain magnetite and hematite as the major phases, whereas the nonmagnetic fractions contain quartz and hematite.

Reaction characteristics of carbon-bearing pellets of Bayan Obo lean iron ores in a static magnetic field

The use of low-grade,refractory and composite paragenetic mineral resources is necessary for overcoming the shortage of iron ore resources in China.As a solution to the treatment of such iron ores,the direct reduction of carbon-bearing pellets can ensure complete iron removal and the effective enrichment of other high-value elements.Thus,this technology enjoys a broad application prospect.However,there are several problems with low-temperature reduction,such as low iron ore reaction efficiency,long reaction time,and high energy consumption.To improve the low-temperature carbothermic reduction efficiency of iron ores,a static magnetic field with magnetic induction intensity of 1.0 T was introduced.An isothermal reduction experiment was conducted at 1223 K to study the low-temperature self-reduction characteristics of carbon-bearing pellets of Bayan Obo lean iron ores in the static magnetic field.Also,the acting mechanism of the magnetic field was explored from the perspective of the reduction process,reaction efficiency,phase composition,microstructure changes,and dynamic behavior of iron ores.The results showed that the magnetic field can increase the low-temperature reduction rate of carbon-bearing pellets of Bayan Obo lean iron ores.Under the conditions of reduction temperature of 1223 K,magnetic induction intensity of 1.0 T,and reduction time of 60 min,the reduction degree was 92.42%,1.65 times that without a magnetic field.The magnetic field promoted the replacement of Ca^(2+)and Fe^(2+),so that the hard-to-reduce iron-bearing silicates were reduced in the order of Fe2SiO_(4)→(Ca,Na)FeSiO_(4)→FeO→Fe.The magnetic field enabled loose minerals,more pores and cracks,and changes in the growth morphology and distribution position of metallic iron.Compared with the case under the non-magnetic condition,the metallic iron precipitated from the slag phase in a foliated shape,separated from the matrix iron oxides,and grew up at the junction of the slag phase and coke.The magnetic field significantly increased the interfacial chemical reaction rate of the carbothermic reduction of iron ores and reduced the internal diffusion resistance of gas in the product layer.Specifically,the interfacial chemical reaction rate increased by 138%and the internal diffusion coefficient increased by 309%.Therefore,the effect of the magnetic field on the internal diffusion resistance was the main cause for strengthening the low-temperature reduction of iron ores.

Magnetic Method Surveying and Its Application for the Concealed Ore-Bodies Prospecting of Laba Porphyry Molybdenum Ore Field in Shangri-La, Northwestern Yunnan Province, China

Recently, a number of large molybdenum (-copper) deposits have been discovered successively in the Laba area, Shangri-La county, northwestern Yunnan province. The investigation confirmed that there is a superlarge porphyry-skarn hydrothermal vein type molybdenum-polymetallic- metallogenic system with the total prediction reservoir of more than 150 mt molybdenum. The porphyry intrusions contributed to the mineralization closely, the superficial little vein molybdenum (-copper, lead, silver) ore-bodies are usually located in faults and fractures, and the deep porphyry type ore-bodies occurred in the granodiorite porphyries, the skarn type ore-bodies occurred in the contact zone intrused into Triassic limestone or Permian basalts. Laba ore block is a new exploration area with great prospecting potential. In order to reduce the target area and guide the further exploration work, the magnetic method measurement about 3.3 square kilometres was carried out in the ore field. This paper presents an application of analyzing the horizontal and vertical derivative, using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) filter (FFT high-pass, low-pass, cosine roll-off, suscepbility), calculated spectra frequency energy to predict the depth and intensity of the apparent remanence magnetization of source (Hilbert). The calculated results and magnetic anomalous show that the remanence anomaly is caused by the intrusions into the Triassic limestone and Permian basalts with small anomalies, and the depth of located source is not great. We have identified a number of positions to the three drilled well, the drilled result specify interpretation with very high accuracy. The magnetic method is helpful to identify porphyry mineralization, and judge the shape and depth of the concealed ore-bearing intrusive bodies under the similar geological condition.

Carbothermic reduction characteristics of ludwigite and boron–iron magnetic separation

Ludwigite is a kind of complex iron ore containing boron, iron, and magnesium, and it is the most promising boron resource in China. Selective reduction of iron oxide is the key step for the comprehensive utilization of ludwigite. In the present work, the reduction mechanism of ludwigite was investigated. The thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry analysis and isothermal reduction of ludwigite/coal composite pellet were performed. Ludwigite yielded a lower reduction starting temperature and a higher final reduction degree compared with the traditional iron concentrates. Higher specific surface area and more fine cracks might be the main reasons for the better reducibility of ludwigite. Reducing temperature highly affected the reaction fraction and microstructure of the reduced pellets, which are closely related to the separation degree of boron and iron. Increasing reducing temperature benefited the boron and iron magnetic separation. Optimum magnetic separation results could be obtained when the pellet was reduced at 1300°C. The separated boron-rich non-magnetic concentrate presented poor crystalline structure, and its extraction efficiency for boron reached 64.3%. The obtained experimental results can provide reference for the determination of the comprehensive utilization flow sheet of ludwigite.

Mechanism of improved magnetizing roasting of siderite–hematite iron ore using a synergistic CO–H2 mixture

A fluidized-bed magnetizing roasting-magnetic separation process was selected to treat this type of material.Phase transformations and microstructural changes in the product resulting from magnetizing roasting under different reducing gases(CO,H2,CO+H2)were clarified by vibrating sample magnetometry,X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.The results indicated that the conversion ratio and saturation magnetization of samples roasted in a mixed gas of CO and H2 were higher than those of samples produced under CO or H2 alone.This indicated that synergy of the combined CO and H2 gas had a positive effect on the fluidized-bed magnetizing roasting process.The mechanism and kinetics of the improved magnetizing roasting of a siderite-hematite iron ore mixture under this synergistic CO-H2 system were investigated under isothermal conditions.The results indicated that the apparent activation energies of the reactions of the iron oxides decreased from 37.7 and 17.9 to 15.9 kJ/moI when the roasting atmosphere was changed from pure H2 or CO to a gas mixture of CO and H2,respectively.The mixed CO-H2 gas promoted the conversion ratio of hematite and siderite to magnetite,thereby improving the conversion ratio in the fluidized-bed magnetizing roasting process.

山东禹城李屯地区重磁异常特征与找矿预测

近年来,山东禹城取得了富铁矿找矿重大突破,具有良好的找矿潜力,但区内尚有多处局部异常尚未查证。该区新生界厚度大(900~1100 m)、磁铁矿体埋藏深,矿体引起的地球物理异常弱,找矿难度大。为系统总结该区磁铁矿异常特征,为钻孔部署提供依据,重点剖析了禹城李屯地区航空重磁平面异常特征、地面高精度磁测异常特征,总结了矽卡岩型铁矿主要重磁异常找矿标志,主要为化极磁异常、剩余磁异常、垂向导数和总梯度模的异常中心,圈定了叠道村和于庄村2处找矿靶区。通过地震约束下的2.5D重磁剖面反演,推断了矿体赋存位置,指导部署了验证钻孔孔位,经钻探验证在禹城市李屯地区叠道村异常取得重大找矿新突破。研究成果对于该区下一步找矿勘查和其他深覆盖区矽卡岩型富铁矿找矿具有指导作用和借鉴意义。

鲁西北潘店重磁异常带矽卡岩型铁矿精细找矿方向——来自广域电磁法深部找矿的启示

山东省鲁西北潘店地区超深覆盖区航磁和重力异常明显,通过系统的重磁异常查证工作,在研究区重磁异常带开展的多个钻孔均取得了深部矽卡岩型铁矿床找矿突破,但由于重磁异常带范围较大且其特征不能直接指示找矿方向,造成部分钻孔不见矿或见矿情况差。因此,为了更好地在重磁异常带精细圈定成矿位置,实现新的更大的找矿大突破,本文旨在已查证的潘店重磁异常带开展广域电磁测深(WFEM)工作,结合钻探验证情况,圈定深覆盖区矽卡岩型铁矿深部成矿区间及成矿有利结构面,提出深部精细找矿方向。

Geological Specimens, Minerals, and Actions Affecting Polar Shift and Earth’s Magnetic Field

This study will touch upon Earth’s magnetic field, the four spheres, and their relationship with polar shift influenced by the magnetization of the interior and surface areas. It will outline how certain aspects within the spheres are influenced by magnetization of minerals and localized rock, how such can be contained deep within Earth’s mantle areas, as well as how mining deposits of iron ore can affect other spheres and systems. It will also entail a brief explanation of geological research concerning the Pacific Ocean floor, as well as a discussion on the magnetization of minerals retaining their properties at extremely high temperatures within Earth’s interior. There will be explanations of how various spheres interact with each other, but it should be noted that while some findings here might seem unsubstantiated, any analysis of Earth’s interior and exterior, the magnetic field, polar shift, and its contagion effect upon living organisms, is still, somewhat, in its initial research stages, and is, at times, left to hypotheses concerning anomalous indications. This study is not conclusive. It has, at best, pieced together areas of relevance. Concluded here is that each event affects polar shift. How this has been affected by magnetization is not completely, at this time, understood. Furthermore, this report in no way promotes the “doomsday scenario”, prolific, fairly recently, within some of the scientific literature on this subject, particularly in Europe. This paper closely adheres to the most modern theories, and will try, at best, to leave speculation to science fiction writers.

Research achievements of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on 60 years of aeromagnetic surveys

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(also referred to as the Plateau)has long received much attention from the community of geoscience due to its unique geographical location and rich mineral resources.This paper reviews the aeromagnetic surveys in the Plateau in the past 60 years and summarizes relevant research achievements,which mainly include the followings.(1)The boundaries between the Plateau and its surrounding regions have been clarified.In detail,its western boundary is restricted by West Kunlun-Altyn Tagh arc-shaped magnetic anomaly zone forming due to the arc-shaped connection of the Altyn Tagh and Kangxiwa faults and its eastern boundary consists of the boundaries among different magnetic fields along the Longnan(Wudu)-Kangding Fault.Meanwhile,the fault on the northern margin of the Northern Qilian Mountains serves as its northern boundary.(2)The Plateau is mainly composed of four orogens that were stitched together,namely East Kunlun-Qilian,Hoh-Xil-Songpan,Chamdo-Southwestern Sanjiang(Nujiang,Lancang,and Jinsha rivers in southeastern China),and Gangdese-Himalaya orogens.(3)The basement of the Plateau is dominated by weakly magnetic Proterozoic metamorphic rocks and lacks strongly magnetic Archean crystalline basement of stable continents such as the Tarim and Sichuan blocks.Therefore,it exhibits the characteristics of unstable orogenic basement.(4)The Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone forming due to continent-continent collisions since the Cenozoic shows double aeromagnetic anomaly zones.Therefore,it can be inferred that the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone formed from the Indian Plate subducting towards and colliding with the Eurasian Plate twice.(5)A huge negative aeromagnetic anomaly in nearly SN trending has been discovered in the middle part of the Plateau,indicating a giant deep thermal-tectonic zone.(6)A dual-layer magnetic structure has been revealed in the Plateau.It consists of shallow magnetic anomaly zones in nearly EW and NW trending and deep magnetic anomaly zones in nearly SN trending.They overlap vertically and cross horizontally,showing the flyover-type geological structure of the Plateau.(7)A group of NW-trending faults occur in eastern Tibet,which is intersected rather than connected by the nearly EW trending that develop in middle-west Tibet.(8)As for the central uplift zone that occurs through the Qiangtang Basin,its metamorphic basement tends to gradually descend from west to east,showing the form of steps.The Qiangtang Basin is divided into the northern and southern part by the central uplift zone in it.The basement in the Qiangtang Basin is deep in the north and west and shallow in the south and west.The basement in the northern Qiangtang Basin is deep and relatively stable and thus is more favorable for the generation and preservation of oil and gas.Up to now,19 favorable tectonic regions of oil and gas have been determined in the Qiangtang Basin.(9)A total of 21 prospecting areas of mineral resources have been delineated and thousands of ore-bearing(or mineralization)anomalies have been discovered.Additionally,the formation and uplift mechanism of the Plateau are briefly discussed in this paper.

Analysis of prospecting polymetallic metallogenic belts by comprehensive geophysical method

This paper is based on the analysis and research on the silver-lead-zinc polymetallic ore in New Ballyhoo Banner in southern Manzhouli of Inner Mongolia.Because metal mineralization brings rock formations,the geophysical features such as low resistivity,high polarization rate and uneven distribution of magnetization,the comprehensive geophysical methods are adopted including high-precision magnetic measurement,high-power induced polarization,IP field middle gradient and controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics.In the survey work of multi-metal ore deposits,from surface sweeping to single point measurement,and from single point to section going deeper layer by layer,the resolution of measurement is continuously improved,and various geophysical methods support and complement each other,so explorers can successfully predict the direction,scale and volume of the metallogenic belts in conjunction with geochemical exploration,geological survey and drilling.It has provided a strong basis for completing the exploration task of predicting the reserve volume of ore bodies.The research conclusions of this exploration case have thus a high reference value in the same type of exploration work.

河南省某铁矿区隐伏铁矿体深部找矿研究

河南省某铁矿区主要地质面貌为平原和丘陵,已发现并且开采的铁矿有近20条,已探明储量高达6.7亿t,属于全国铁矿产量前十的矿区之一。通过高精度磁法勘探技术进行找矿勘探并圈定异常点,再通过可控源音频大地电磁法勘探技术对异常点进行找矿勘探,圈定找矿靶区和预测钻探深度,最后通过实际工程勘探,对预测结果进行了验证。研究表明:(1)区内共有6个异常点,其中M2、M6异常可能是地下存在铁矿石所引起的磁场异常;(2)区内圈定找矿靶区两处,分别为C1勘测线45^(#)~47^(#)监测点(1^(#)靶区)和C2勘测线11^(#)~21^(#)监测点(2^(#)靶区),经过地质信息分析获得1^(#)、2^(#)靶区的钻探深度均为1000m。(3)通过实际工程勘探,验证了所圈定的靶区深部存在隐伏铁矿体。

山西省狐姑山BIF铁矿三维空间分布规律及深部预测

狐姑山铁矿是吕梁地区一个大型BIF铁矿床,该矿床成矿经历多期次构造-变形-岩浆活动,矿体形态极其复杂且空间分布不清,阻碍了深边部找矿效果。在系统的野外地质调查、矿石显微组构分析的基础上,进一步采用三维建模软件构建了狐姑山地层、矿体、断裂、岩浆岩等控矿要素的三维空间模型,结果显示:(1)铁矿主要受袁家村组地层与区域变质作用控制;(2)矿体形成后主要经历了EW向与近SN向的挤压构造应力作用,产生了褶皱变形,形成了连续平行分布的凹凸体,其垂向变形最大幅度达220 m;(3)成矿后的断裂错断矿体且断距较小,基性岩脉对矿体具有明显的破坏作用;(4)深部矿体倾角逐渐变缓,典型勘探线剖面高精度磁测与大地电磁测深结果显示深部异常体连续且有稳定延伸。综合矿床地质特征、三维空间分布、磁化率及电阻率异常特征认为,狐姑山矿床深边部均具有较大的找矿前景,并圈定了3个找矿靶区。

高精度磁测反演技术在磁异常区找矿中的应用——以鲁西地区谷山铁矿为例

谷山矿区位于鲁西地区尼山凸起的南缘,紧邻枣庄断裂,为苍峄铁矿带西延部分。该区为第四系覆盖,通过高精度磁法和井中三分量磁测等物探方法,圈定2个磁异常。对异常剖面进行2D反演,推测C2磁异常为含磁铁矿较低的岩体引起,C1磁异常为磁铁矿体引起。经过钻探验证,C2磁异常处磁性体为含磁铁矿变辉石角闪石岩。C1磁异常为赋存于泰山岩群山草峪组中磁铁矿体。根据区内以及邻区的见矿情况结合磁异常特征分析,谷山矿区具有良好的找矿前景。

云南新平大红山铁矿深部找矿重磁认识及成矿预测

大红山铁矿为著名的隐伏型大型铁多全属矿床,先后开展过区域重力、区域航磁、矿区重力剖面及各种比例尺的地面磁测工作,重磁物探工作在大红山铁矿的勘查中起到了重要作用.通过对大红山铁矿床成矿规律及矿床成因的认识和对矿区各期投入的物探工作及成果的梳理,进行了矿区物探工作的有效性分析,认为航磁结合区域性的重力工作,在区域性的靶区选择上面有较好的效果.大红山铁矿最为有效的物探方法是地面磁测,以1∶5万及更大比例尺的1∶1万等地面磁测最为有效.矿区有效的找矿方法为:区域重磁选定靶区→矿区小比例尺重磁进一步圈定异常→矿区大比例尺地磁工作矿体深部定位→钻探工程揭露验证.矿区有较大的深部找矿潜力,地面磁测大于4000 nT,深度大于550 m以深地段为主要的深部找矿部位.