Simultaneous use of direct and reverse flotation in the production of iron ore concentrate plant

First, the sample was deslimed at 38 µm and with the underflow a cut was performed in the 74 µm cyclone in order to separate the coarse particles from the fine. With the coarse particles, i.e. with the underflow, there a reverse flotation was carried on obtaining a concentrate with 67.7% of Fe and 0.9% of SiO2. In the fine particle overflow, direct flotation was done, generating a low-quality concentrate with 40.9% of Fe and 39.7% of SiO2.

The mass recovery in direct flotation was 88% and in the reverse flotation was 61.1%. The concentrate generated from two flotations had a mass recovery of 67.4% with a content of Fe of 53.4% and 21.6% SiO2.