Integrated feed management of mineral processing plants with application to chromite processing

The control of chromite feeds is supported by alternating modes of operation that respond to imbalances in feed stockpiles. Conventional classifications of chromite relate to its end uses: metallurgical (with high Cr2O3 content and Cr:Fe ratio close to 3, to produce ferrochrome), chemical and refractory. However, natural chromite is represented broadly as (Fe,Mg)O⋅(Cr,Al,Fe)2O3 to illustrate the common replacement of Fe2+ by Mg2+, and Cr3+ by Al3+ and Fe3+. Indeed, the variation in chromite characteristics is problematic for integrated management, but can be handled through continuous improvement projects that apply process mineralogy and well-known quantitative methods. Sample calculations have been included within this paper to demonstrate the importance of standardised operational modes, and their potential impact on chromite processing.