Abstract
— High-grade iron ore feed is essential for efficient furnace operation, as it reduces coke consumption, improves energy efficiency, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. However, many mineral processing plants produce tailings with low Fe grade, which is below the required +65% Fe grade for blast furnace feed. Disposing of these tailings not only represents a loss of valuable iron but also contributes to growing tailings facilities that pose environmental and community risks. This research aimed to upgrade the iron content of plant tailings to meet furnace specifications and reduce overall waste generation. Iron ore plant tailings were characterized using XRF, ZRD and SEM to evaluate their suitability for concentration using the flotation process. The expected outcome from flotation is a final iron-rich product exceeding 65% Fe, leading to improved process efficiency, reduced tailings generation, and a smaller environmental footprint. A concentrate containing 92% Fe2O3 was obtained using a combination of sodium oleate and Lupromin FP 18AS as co-collectors.