Selective Flocculation And Flotation Of Iron-Bearing Materials

The selective flocculation, desliming and flotation process developed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, as part of its goal of maintaining an adequate supply of minerals to meet national economic and strategic needs is described. The application of the selective flocculation and cationic flotation process to three oxidized taconites from the western Mesabi Range in Minnesota is discussed. Data from the operation of a 408-kilogram-per-hour (900 lb/hr) pilot plant employing reclaimed water are summarized for the three types of oxidized taconites.