Study on Influence of Residual Magnetite in Panzhihua Ilmenite Flotation

The main utilization mode of titano-magnetite was firstly separating titano-magnetite by low intensity magnetic separation, then concentrating ilmenite from magnetic separation tailings. Magnetic separation tailings mainly contained ilmenite, but there was still a small quantity of titano-magnetite. Magnetic agglomeration of titanomagnetite occured because of existentence of remanence and pre-flotation grinding. It was found that titanomagnetite presented more optimal floatability than ilmenite. Therefore some gangues wrapped by titano-magnetite went into the floatation concentrate. In a word, titano-magnetite had negative effect on ilmenite floatation by decreasing grade and recovery of concentrate and increasing reagent consumption. The pre-removal of residual titano-magnetite before cleaning ilmenite from magnetic separation tailings by floatation was essential.