Iron ore and ochre mines Benefication Process Plant

Iron ore is most commonly found as haematite (Fe2O3), pyrite (FeS2) and goethite (FeO.OH), or as a mixture of hydrated iron oxides known as limonite. In the Mendips, haematite and goethite commonly occur together as either massive, granular, often siliceous masses, or as altered, amorphous, loosely compacted, earthy varieties known as ochre. Two type of ochre occur: red ochre, which is mostly impure earthy haematite; and yellow ochre which is earthy goethite, clay and other iron hydroxides. Ochre can take a variety of forms depending on its mode of deposition. It often occurs as encrusting, botryoidal or stalatitic forms.

Manganese is a common mineral associated with iron and ochre deposits, and is typically found as dull black, soft oxides known as ‘wad’, a mixture chiefly of pyrolusite (MnO2) and psilomelane, another manganese oxide.

Generally, the operations required before the iron ore is considered a finished product include:

• Crushing & Screening

• Grinding

• Concentration

• Agglomeration