Influence of sodium silicate modulus on iron ore flotation with sodium oleate

This paper presents the influence of sodium silicate modulus on iron ore flotation with sodium oleate collector. Bench flotation tests were performed at pH 7 with actual iron ore from Quadrilلtero Ferrيfero, Brazil, with 42.8% Fe and 37.2% SiO2. Iron recovery averaged above 90% and the Fe contents in the concentrate were above 55%. The highest values of Fe grade and lowest of SiO2 were obtained with low levels of pulp density and sodium silicate dosage and with high level of sodium oleate. Increase of sodium silicate modulus had a small influence on response variables.