Mineralogical Characterization and Gravity Separation of Lean Grade Mixed Copper Ore of Malanjkhand Deposit

An in-depth mineralogical characterization has been carried out to develop a suitable beneficiation process route for a low-grade copper ore. Characterization and preliminary gravity separation studies were undertaken on low-grade Malanjkhand mixed copper ore to remove siliceous gangue and improve the copper grade. The characterization results indicated that the mixed copper ore was of very low grade (0.48% Cu) with a predominant amount of Quartz (74.12%) and with a moderate amount of feldspar and mica. The presence of chalcopyrite and pyrite in minor quantity along with malachite in traces was noted. Preliminary experiments were performed in a Mozley mineral separator by varying flow rate, amplitude and time to discard maximum quantity of liberated quartz. The optimum values of the variables for the efficient pre-concentration were determined based on the separation efficiency. The characterization and preliminary separation studies indicated that gravity-based separation could be opted for the pre-concentration of such mixed copper ore.