The Efficacy of using Gravity Concentration Methods in Value Addition to Ajabanoko Iron Ore for use in Nigerian Smelting Plants towards Metallurgical Purposes

Alabi Oladunni Oyelola, Ojo Dorcas Anuoluwapo, Uzuh Florence Dennis

Gravity, Separation, Characterization, Liberation. Oxide gangue.

This research work x - rays the use of gravity separation methods – Wifely shaking tabling and Air flotation (Kip Kelly air floating machine) to produce a high iron ore concentrate that could be used in both Blast furnace and Direct Reduced Induction (DRI) operation as a feed towards the production of Nigerian iron and steel. Crude iron ore assaying 40.72%Fe was beneficiated by using dry air floating processing method and wet wilfley shaking tabling process after characterization and the determination of liberation size of the iron ore and grinding of the crude iron ore to this liberation size of -500 + 355µm.The result revealed that the use of Air floating method gave 67.95%Fe, low acid oxide gangue of 7.3%, while Wilfley shaking tabling gave 51.16%Fe, low acid oxide gangue of 18.6%. It does shows that Air float tabling machine met the required standard grade of iron (≥ 65%Fe) content needed as a charge for the furnace operation, while, the assay and recovery obtain of wilfley shaking tabling could not meet the standard requirement for iron and steel production in the country, Nigeria.