Utilization of some Indian iron ore waste plant tails by reprocessing

Restriction in ore production and closing down Iron ore mines hasspurred the mines to look for alternative routes like processing BHQ/BHJ waste rock or processing of iron ore slimy plant tails. The latter route was logically and scientifically attractive as pellet grade concentrates can be produced with a possibility of partial reclamation of the tailings pond area and mitigation of tailing pond management problem. The fine particle processing of slimy tails has been addressed either by flotation or wet, high-intensity, high gradient separation. This paper furnishes a few case studies of fine particle processing of iron ore slimy tails spread across Odisha.The resultsshow that the pellet grade concentrates could be produced with appreciable yield (Weight %) for different slims tails varying in granulometry, silica, alumina and hydrated - anhydrous iron oxide content. In some cases, the above process has also paved the way for nil waste process wherein the tails produced becomerich in alumina and can be used in building materials and the pottery industry.