Abstract
Many low grade iron ore deposits which were previously ignored are being treated due
to depletion of high grade iron ore deposits. Haematite flotation concentrate from a
reverse flotation of fluorspar tailings was characterised and agglomerated using
bentonite and coke. The effect of bentonite and coke concentrations on mechanical
strength and metallurgical characteristics of the wet and baked pellets was investigated.
It was found that the concentrate contained 60.5% Fe, 4.24% silica and other minor
elements. Major mineral phases present were hematite, magnetite and silica. A
maximum wet drop number of 3 and wet strength of 2.85N was obtained when using
1.25 and 0.75wt% bentonite respectively. The maximum dry and baked strength
obtained was 28.1N and 2690N respectively whilst using 1.25wt% bentonite and no
coke. Porosity of the baked pellets was not affected very much with change in coke
concentration which is not the usual case with iron ores. At high coke concentration
(3wt %), the pellets contained spinels.