UPGRADING OF OCHOKOCHOKO IRON ORE USING GRAVITY AND MAGNETIC CONCENTRATION METHODS

Abstract

In this work the possibility of upgrading Ochokochoko iron ore deposit located between Jakura and Ochokochoko village, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria was investigated using gravity and magnetic concentration technique after calcination. The result of the tests carried out revealed that the Ochokochoko iron ore has 53.45 % (FeT), 19.29 % (SiO2), (2.42 ) % CaO, 0.16 % MnO, 0.27 % (K2O), 2.98 % (Al2O3), 0.2 % (MgO), 0.3 % (P2O5) and 0.2 % (S). The thin section microscopy revealed the iron bearing minerals are predominantly magnetite and hematite with minor limonite and a combined average percentage distribution of 82 %. This was further collaborated with the result of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) which revealed the major mineral constituents as hematite and magnetite. Separation test by gravity method produced an optimum concentrate with a maximum iron content of 64.90 % (FeT) with a recovery of 96.27 % at a particle size of -180+125 µm while magnetic separation test produced an optimum concentrate with a maximum grade of 66.54 % (FeT) and recovery of 91.27 % at -180+12 5µm particle size fraction. The results obtained from the two different concentration tests inferred that Ochokochoko iron ore deposits can be upgraded using both Gravity and Magnetic separation technique to produce concentrate suitable for pig iron production by conventional blast furnace route.