Magnetite is recovered as a by-product of the copper operations. Since operations commenced in 1965, Magnetite has been separately stockpiled onsite.
Magnetite - material safety
Safety Data sheet
Fe3 O4
Scope
The Specifications cover the following two magnetite products:
- Dense media separation (DMS) - medium grade
- Iron ore (coarse grade)
Current magnetite production is a by-product of the copper operations and as such is recovered from the Concentrator floatation tails stream by magnetic separation. Approximately 15%, by weight, of magnetite is removed by 'cleaning' and 're-cleaning' of the magnetic concentrate from the first stage. This results in the upgrading of magnetite to 66% Fe (greater than 95% magnetite). This upgraded magnetite is then subjected to elutriation, to generate medium and coarse grade products. The medium grade is the DMS product and the coarse grade is sold as a blend feed to iron- and steelmaking customers.
Manufacture
Dense media separation (DMS) - medium grade
Product specification
- Particle size distribution: 85% passing -45µm
- Fe3 O4: >95%
- 8% moisture
Iron ore - coarse grade
- Iron (Fe): 65% minimum
- Phosphorus (P): 0.06% maximum
- Sulphur (S): 0.19% maximum
- Silica (SiO2): 1.12% maximum
- Titania (TiO2): 1.0% maximum
- Alumina (Al2O3): 1.01% maximum
Enquiries from potential customers regarding DMS medium grade product should be directed as follows:
South African market:
Martin and Robson (M&R) Industrial Minerals have the domestic mandate to market and sell DMS medium grade magnetite product in the Witbank and Natal coalfield areas. M&R form part on the Sturrock and Robson Group and are contactable at martinrobson@icon.co.za. Palabora sells directly to the Kumba Resources group who own the Grootegeluk and Tshikondeni coal mines.
International market:
Palabora has received numerous enquiries on the application of DMS medium grade product from overseas coal washeries.