This study is concerned with the processing of low grade chromite ores,
Ingassena Hills, Sudan, by froth flotation techniques. For this purpose,
representative samples were taken from four different mines.
Mineralogical examinations indicated that, the major minerals are
chromite and serpentine. Olivine, iron oxides and talc have been
identified as minor minerals. Adequate degree of liberation of chromite
was obtained by grinding the ore to minus 180μm.
Froth flotation was used to upgrade this chromite ore. Oleic acid was
used as collector. Several operating parameters influencing the
floatability of the Sudanese chromite ores were investigated. These
include the collector and depressant dosages, pulp pH, and conditioning
time. From an ore feed grading 20.27% Cr2O3, a chromite concentrate
of 28.71% Cr2O3 with recovery of 94.54 % could be obtained by flotation
at collector dosage of 0.300 kg /t , pH 9 , 2 min conditioning time, and
20% pulp density.