Preconcentration of Molybdenum from a Low-grade Primary Mo Ore by Physical Beneficition

Studies on pre-concentration of molybdenum values from a primary molybdenum ore deposit located in Harur of Dharmapuri district, Tamilnadu were carried out by physical beneficiation techniques. Inspite of being a primary deposit, the Mo content in the ore is very low, being 0.06% only. Mo is present as molybdenite (MoS2) and the other sulfide minerals in the ore are pyrite, galena and traces of chalcopyrite. Quartz constitues the bulk gangue phase. Based on detailed mineralogical studies, two alternative process schemes, a ‘multi-stage flotation route’ and a ‘flotation cum gravity separation’ route were investigated. The “flotation - gravity” separation route gave a final Mo concentrate analyzing Mo 44.21%.