About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Rare Metal Extraction & Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Upgrading Kuru Columbite (Plateau State, Nigeria) through Combined Froth Flotation and Rapid Magnetic Separation: Implications for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Beneficiation in Nigeria |
| Author(s) |
Furqan Abdulfattah, Adesanya Adesewa Temitope, Oladunni O. Alabi |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Furqan Abdulfattah |
| Abstract Scope |
Nigeria holds substantial global reserves of columbite (niobium-bearing minerals), yet value extraction remains limited by the absence of locally practicable beneficiation technologies. This study investigates the sequential application of froth flotation and rapid magnetic separation on pre-concentrated Kuru columbite from Plateau State, Nigeria, targeting a scalable process route for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) communities. Froth-floated samples were sieved into five particle size fractions (90–500 μm) and processed through a three-disc rapid magnetic separator at 40 A. Nb₂O₅ grades and recoveries were quantified by ED-XRF. The 125 μm fraction yielded the highest magnetic concentrate grade (37.207%) and recovery (11.6%), upgrading Nb₂O₅ from a pre-concentrate baseline of 28.8%. The 355 μm fraction produced the greatest concentrate weight. These results establish a technically sound sequential processing route and carry implications for ASM livelihoods, formal sector development, responsible critical mineral sourcing, and enabling regulatory frameworks in Nigeria. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Hydrometallurgy, Other, Sustainability |