Abstract:
Accurate prediction of downstream processing
performance of a mineral ore is critical to resource evaluation and
development decisions, where significant cost and productivity
benefits can be realized through early determination of an ore’s
properties and processing potential. This study aimed at investigating
the chemical, qualitative and quantitative composition of raw iron ore
from the deposits in Katse area (Mwingi North Constituency in Kitui
County) which lies in the Mozambique mobile belt. The quality of
the iron ore was evaluated to establish its suitability as a raw material
for iron production in Kenya. Samples were obtained along the
perimeter vertices and centre of a land parcel measuring 150m2with
each excavation being 50cm length, 50 cm width and 500cm depth. Detailed studies were conducted to establish the composition and
properties of the 5 samples. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray
Fluorescence (XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)
techniques were employed in the investigation. XRD studies revealed
magnetite (above 86%) as the major mineral with subordinate
amounts of hematite and quartz. XRF studies indicated a high content
of iron (above 80%) with minor amounts of (5% Al2 O3 , < 5%TiO2 ,
1-44% SiO2 , <1% of MnO, P2 O5 , SO3 , K2 O, V2 O5 ). AAS
experiment results indicated that the Iron content was above 90%
with minor amounts of SiO2 , Al2 O3 , CaO, MgO, Na2 O, K2 O, TiO2
and MnO elements. The quality of this ore was compared to
generalized world market standards and ores from other nations. The
results indicated that Katse ore is a rich Magnetite grade with Fe
content above 80% with minor amounts of hematite, quartz and clay
as the major gangue (<1% SiO2 and <1% Al2 O3 ) and low contents
of the deleterious elements ( <1 %), which correspond to acceptable
levels for commercial iron ores.
