Magnetic Properties of Low Grade Manganese Carbonate Ore

Rapid reduction roasting of low grade manganese carbonate ore by coal and biomass fuels from Hunan, China was investigated. Magnetic separation behaviors and magnetic properties of raw manganese ore and roasted manganese ores were analyzed. After reduction by coal and biomass fuels, the manganese ores demonstrate a new Mn-Fe oxide phase, showing obvious mixed magnetic behaviors of ferromagnet and paramagnet, and the magnetic susceptibilities of roasting ores rapidly increase to almost two orders of magnitude in comparison of the raw ores. The results show that magnetizing roasting technology could enhanced the magnetic properties of the manganese ores about two orders of magnitude higher than raw manganese ore at low roasting temperature. Thereby, we deduce that the weak magnetic separation combined with high magnetic separation could be adequate for roasted manganese ore to satisfy the requirement of electrolytic manganese industry. Application of biomass in manganese ore roasting process is promising to the effective use of biomass and for decreasing the consumption of fossil fuels in the manganese industry.