Evaluation of manganese tailings by using low intensity and high intensity magnetic separators

English (OpenAlex)

This study aims to enrich waste manganese ore obtained from a manganese enrichment plant operating in the Aegean Region of Türkiye. For this purpose, dry low- and wet high-intensity magnetic separators were used. First, mineralogical and chemical analyses were conducted for characterisation purposes. Then, following grinding and classification through size reduction, the ore was separated into different size fractions, and enrichment tests were conducted using two different types of magnetic separators. In low-intensity magnetic separation tests, the effects of particle size, drum rotation speed, and blade position on separation performance were investigated. In contrast, in high-intensity separation tests, the effects of particle size, magnetic field intensity, and feed rate on enrichment were examined. Based on the enrichment studies, using separators with low and high magnetic sensitivity, from waste manganese ore with an average MnO content of 2.4%, manganese concentrates with an efficiency of 81.27% and a Mn grade of 29.35%, and with an efficiency of 92.71% and a Mn grade of 18.23% were obtained. In this context, it was revealed that a usable manganese concentrate can be obtained from waste manganese ore using magnetic separators operating on two different principles, and that manganese waste can be reintroduced into the economy.