Reduction roast and magnetic separation of oxidized iron ores for the production of blast furnace feed

Low grade oolitic iron ore from the Aswan locality, assaying 45.23% Fe and 23.93% insoluble residue, was tested for concentration using reduction roasting and subsequent low intensity magnetic separation for the production of blast furnace feed. The ore is a low grade, high phosphorus, and high alumina oolitic hematite. Fine grinding of the ore was found to be imperative due to the fine dissemination characteristics of the ore. The application of reduction roasting-low intensity magnetic separation process for high grade concentrate production and minimum hot metal costs was investigated. The studies included the use of gaseous reductants such as H-2 or CO, and the different parameters affecting the process were verified. Optimization of the process was demonstrated on a bench scale. Quality magnetic concentrates assaying 59.6% FE with recoveries of about 90% were obtained from a run of mine ore assaying 45.23% Fe. (C) 1998 Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.