RECOVERY OF TALC FROM TALC- CARBONATE SCHIST OF SWAT EMERALD MINES, NWFP, PAKISTAN

In present research preliminary investigations like petrographic study, grain size evaluation and chemical analysis were undertaken on talc bearing rock of Swat emerald mines, aiming at finding some suitable processing technique to recover talc. A few processing tests using flotation, gravity separation and leaching methods were conducted to see the amenability of talc to enrichment by these techniques. Analysis of seven talcum powder products available in the local market including pharmaceutical grade talc was carried out for comparison with Swat raw- talc under study and to know the level of impurities in it. The results revealed that Swat emerald mines talc rock contains calcite, magnesite, dolomite, muscovite and quartz as impurities. Talc content in the original rock ranges from 60 to 65% and possible to liberate at grind size of 45 microns. Flotation test results revealed that talc upgraded to 85% with 80% recovery using frother as a process aid whereas, upgradation using gravity separation was 82%. The flotation concentrate on leaching further improved and the level of impurities reduced from15 to 8 %.