GEOLOGICAL AND FLOTATION STUDIES OF ROCK PHOSPHATE FROM KAKUL DEPOSITS, HAZARA, N-W.F.P.

Geological selling and flotation studies of Kakul rock phosphate were carried out to upgrade the P2O5 (apatite ) content by removing the major impurity i.e. SiO2 (silica ). During grinding it was observed that at -36 + 72 mesh, SiO2 , grains are physically liberated form P2O5 grains. The physically liberated panicles are then separated by flotation process with the help of different reagents i.e. collectors, depressants, dispersant and frothers. During floatation process a mineralized froth containing P2O5 was recovered as concentrate. The results of chemical analyses show considerable enrichment of P2O5 from 21.0% (in feed ) to 32.1% (in concentrate ) and a significant decrease in SiO2 content from 20% (in feed ) to 12.5% (in concentrate ).