Effect of Sodium Oleate Concentration Variations on Froth Flotation of Manganese Ore

Each type of a manganese deposit is a problem by itself in the matter of selection of a proper method of concentration, depending on the manganese minerals and their gangue constituents. Hence, this work studied the effect of sodium oleate concentration variation on the froth flotation of manganese ore obtained from Madaka, Niger State, Nigeria. The chemical analysis of the ore shows that it contains 48.4% MnO (37.5% Mn). Peaks were identified in XRD analysis of the crude sample as that of magnosite (MnO), hausmannite (Mn3O4), spessartine and vemuculite (Mg, Fe2+, Fe3+)3[(AlSiO4)O10](OH)2·4H2O. The ore was beneficiated by froth flotation using sodium oleate as collector at varied concentrations of 3 g/kg, 7 g/kg and 10 g/kg. Other chemical reagents used were sodium silicate, fuel oil and calcium hydroxide as dispersant, frother and pH modifier respectively. Results obtained showed percentage metal recoveries of 9.29%, 14.30% and 19.61%, assaying 65.20%, 62.03% and 61.30% Mn respectively. This indicates that at sodium oleate concentration of 3 g/kg, high grade-concentrate can be obtained.