Title: Preliminary investigations on recovery of zircon from alluvial pebbles

Authors: Raghupatruni Bhima Rao, Danda Srinivas Rao, Nallusamy Vasumathi, Rajalaxmi Mohapatra, Palli Sita Rama Reddy, Barada Kanta Mishra

Addresses: Mineral Processing Department, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Bhubaneswar 751 013, India. ' Mineral Processing Department, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Bhubaneswar 751 013, India. ' Mineral Processing Department, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Bhubaneswar 751 013, India. ' Mineral Processing Department, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Bhubaneswar 751 013, India. ' Mineral Processing Department, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Bhubaneswar 751 013, India. ' Mineral Processing Department, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Bhubaneswar 751 013, India

Abstract: Owing to high demand of zircon, the exploitation of the sand deposits and recovery of zircon from such alternate sources is a priority at present. In this context, investigations were carried out on the recovery of zircon from river pebbles by gravity spirals and tables. The study revealed that the Run of Mine (ROM) sample contains 0.35% by weight Total Heavy Minerals (THMs) with 0.03% ZrO₂. The sample ground to d₈₀ (passing size of 1000 µm) was subjected to six-stage spirals followed by tables. The end-product obtained in this process contains 44.1% ZrO₂ with 74% recovery.

Keywords: zircon recovery; alluvial pebbles; sink–float; spiral concentration; tabling; sand deposits; river pebbles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2009.023135

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2009 Vol.1 No.2, pp.204 - 218

Published online: 10 Feb 2009 *

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