Recovery of calcite
using eco-friendly bio-collector in the flotation of low-grade limestone
Vasumathi N., Gharai Mousumi, Kumari Ajita and Vijaya Kumar T.V.
Disaster Advances; Vol. 18(5); 37-41;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/185da37041; (2025)
Abstract
Limestone flotation is a vital process in mineral processing, aimed at selectively
separating valuable minerals such as calcite, from its associated gangue in the
limestone matrix. The flotation of a low-grade limestone analyzing 41.78% CaO, 5.74%
MgO, and 9.87% SiO2 by utilizing a new eco-friendly, plant seed oil processing industry
waste-based fatty acid, as an anionic bio-collector for developing a sustainable
process, was studied. A flotation concentrate of 59.94% weight recovery and analyzing
2.67% MgO, 49.92% CaO and 2.79% SiO2 could be obtained at 2.4 kg/t bio-collector
dosage.
The flotation results indicated the selective recovery and enrichment of CaO and
reduction of MgO and SiO2 content from the low-grade limestone thereby making it
a suitable raw material for cement manufacturing. The study highlights the development
and the effective utilization of industrial waste-derived, bio-based calcite collector
that aligns with the growing emphasis on the broader industry trend toward more
sustainable mineral processing practices.
