Dolomite ore beneficiation in India involves processes to upgrade the raw ore into a more refined product suitable for various industrial applications like steel, glass, ceramics, and construction. Here’s an overview of dolomite beneficiation plants in India:
Key Beneficiation Processes for Dolomite
1. Crushing & Screening:
– Primary crushing (jaw crusher) followed by secondary/tertiary crushing (cone crusher).
– Screening to separate dolomite into desired size fractions.
2. Washing & Scrubbing:
– Removes clay, silica, and other impurities through water jets or scrubbers.
3. Gravity Separation:
– Jigs or spirals may be used to remove heavy impurities like iron oxides.
4. Magnetic Separation:
– Low-intensity magnetic separators (LIMS) remove iron-bearing minerals.
5. Flotation (Selective Separation):
– Froth flotation may be employed to separate dolomite from associated minerals like calcite or silica.
6. Calcination (For Refractory Use):
– High-temperature treatment to produce dead-burned dolomite (for steel industry).
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Major Dolomite Beneficiation Plants in India
India has significant dolomite reserves in states like:
– Odisha (Birmitrapur, Sundargarh)
– Chhattisgarh (Bilaspur, Raipur)
– Andhra Pradesh (Kadapa, Anantapur)
– Rajasthan (Jodhpur, Udaipur)
– Karnataka (Belgaum)
# Key Players & Plants:
1. SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd) – Uses beneficiated dolomite for steel flux.
2. Tata Steel – Procures high-grade dolomite for refractory applications.
3. JSW Steel & RINL – Operate captive mines with beneficiation units.
4. Private Miners & Processors:
– Companies like *Aravali Onyx*, *Gujarat Mineral Development Corp (GMDC)*, and *Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals Ltd (RSMML)* process dolomite for industrial use.
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Challenges in Dolomite Beneficiation
– High silica/iron content requires