Abstract
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has huge low grade talc deposits with high iron content (7.63 % Fe2O3) and low silica content (55.43 % SiO2). This paper aims at investigating the amenability of processing the ore to meet filler specifications. This was firstly tried using wet or dry magnetic separation. Secondly, the ore was upgraded using flotation. In applying magnetic separation technique, Carpco induced roll and Boxmag Rapid magnetic separators were used. The main studied variables were: magnetic field intensity, the Carpco roll speed, feed rate and feed size. Denver D-12 flotation cell was used for flotation tests. The parameters pH value, pulp density, collector type and dose were optimized. The obtained results showed that using Carpco dry magnetic separator at optimum conditions produces a talc concentrate having 1.49 % Fe2O3. Wet magnetic separation under optimum conditions using Boxmag can lead to a talc concentrate having 1.33 % Fe2O3. The cleanest flotation concentrate has an iron content of 1.12 % Fe2O3. All these products can be used as filler in paper industry only. However, using flotation for cleaning the Carpco concentrate resulted in a final concentrate of 0.69 % Fe2O3 and 63.23 % SiO2 which has many industrial applications especially as filler.