Beneficiation Studies on Recovery of Ilmenite from Red Sediments of Badlands Topography, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

This paper highlights the recovery of ilmenite mineral from red sediments of badlands topography and also an attempt has been made on flowsheet with material balance for recovery of ilmenite. The results of these investigations reveal that the red sediment samples contain 31.5% total heavy mineral, in which ilmenite is the major mineral followed by sillimanite, garnet, zircon, monazite and rutile. The modal analysis for THM of Chinna Vatsavalasa sample represents that it contains 70.3% ilmenite, 11.7% sillimanite, 10.0% garnet, 3.7% zircon, 1.4% monazite, 1.1% rutile, and 1.7% of other minerals. The ilmenite concentrate recovered from red sediment sample by physical beneficiation process, which included scrubbing, desliming, gravity concentration, magnetic and electrostatic separation contains 99.2% grade with 92.2% recovery. The microscopic studies on ilmenite reveal that the ilmenite grains are seemed to be sub rounded, irregular to sub-angular shape as well as very well rounded. It can be concluded that the deposit of heavy minerals found along Srikakulam region which is known for its name as red sediment of Andhra Pradesh is having economic potential and can be mined economically with taking care of the environment. The climatic condition the topography and accessibility are also favourable for economic exploitation of the sediments.