Recovery of ‘Nsutite’ from Tailings Material of Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) Limited Mine, Nsuta

Abstract

An investigation was conducted for the enrichment of manganese oxide tailings generated by a spiral concentration plant at Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) Limited, Nsuta. The work involved mineralogical and particle size characterisation, grav-ity and magnetic separation techniques. Analytical methods used include; X-Ray Fluorescence and Atomic Absorption Spectro-photometry. The material composed of 9.01% Al₂O₃, 27.43 %SiO₂, 19.28% MnO₂ and 9.86% Fe₂O₃, while other oxides ranged between 1.55 and 0.04%. By treating the distinct size fractions, it was discovered that the most efficient method was heavy medium separation at a bath density of 2.96 having an overall recovery of 51.18%. Enrichment ratios of 1.28, 0.98 and 0.91 were obtained in order of heavy medium separation, magnetic separation and shaking table. The highest grade obtained was 38.25% Mn which qualifies the concentrate as medium grade material in the manganese market.