Liberation Size and Beneficiation of Enyigba Lead Ore, Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria

Ettu Obassi^1*, David Terfa Gundu², Usman Muhammad Akindele³

¹Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Abuja, Nigeria.
²Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.
³Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2015.33015                

Abstract

This research work centered on the determination of Liberation Size and Enrichment of Enyigba Lead Ore in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The study reviews the fundamental operations in mineral processing i.e. the comminution process for the release and liberation of the valuable minerals particles from the ore association, and the eventual separation and concentration of the valuables from the gangue. The ore was pulverized, sieved to liberation size and beneficiated. The mesh of grind was found to be 189 μm, and the liberation size was established to be 63 μm sieve size having the highest percentage of lead of 15.1% then enriched to 69.8% by froth flotation method and was assessed by using x-ray fluorescence (XRF). The lead concentrate by weight was obtained to be 81.80%, confirmed being of high economic grade having surpassed 60% wt Pb element in an ore. It is hoped that this will enhance its development to meet both local and international demand for potential investment opportunities.

Keywords

Liberation, Enyigba Lead Ore, Comminution, Beneficiation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Craig, J.R. and Vaughan, D.J. (1981) Ore Microscopy and Ore Petrography, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 25.
[2]	Adepoju, S.O. and Olaleye, B.M. (2000) Gravity Concentration of Silica Sand from Itakpe Iron-Ore Tailings by Tabling Operation. Nigeria Journal of Engineering Management, 2, 51-52.
[3]	Wills, B.A. and Atkinson, K. (1993) Some Observation on the Tract and Liberation of Mineral Assemblies. Minerals Engineering, 6, 697-706. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0892-6875(93)90001-4
[4]	Flavel, M.A. (1978) Control of Crushing Circuits Will Reduce Capital and Operating Costs. Mining Magazine, 207, 207.
[5]	Yan, D. and Gupta, A. (2006) Mineral Processing Design & Operation: An Introduction. Elsevier Publisher, Netherlands, Chapter 3.
[6]	Wills, B.A. (2006) Will Mineral Processing Techniques: An Introduction to the Practical Aspect of Ore Treatment and Mineral Recovery. 7th Edition, Elsevier Limited, USA.
[7]	Levin, J. (1989) Observations on the Bond Standard Grindability Test and a Proposal for a Standard Grindability Test for Fine Materials. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 89, 13-21.
[8]	Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) (2010) Lead-Zinc Exploration Opportunities in Nigeria— A Document Produced by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency for the Hon Minister Ministry of Mines and Steel Development under the World Bank Assisted Project Titled “Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project” (SMMRP).
[9]	Maurin, J.C. and Benkhelil, J. (1990) Model of Pb/Zn Mineralization Genesis in the Cretaceous Benue Trough (Nigeria): Structural, Geophysical and Geochemical Constraints. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 11, 345-349. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(90)90013-5
[10]	Maurin, J.C. and Lancelot, J.R. (1987) Origine des min~rallsatlons de Pb-Zn de la Vallee de La Benoue (Nigerla) d'apres Lamurde Anticline composition en Pb des galenes et de l’encaissant. Mineral Depostta, 22, 99-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00204686
[11]	Nwachukwu, S.O. (1974) Temperatures of Formation of the Southern Portion of the Benue Trough, Nigeria. Journal of Mineral, 11, 45-55.
[12]	www.rosslynhillmining.com.au