भारत सरकार /Government of India

परमाणु ऊर्जा विभाग /Department of Atomic Energy

परमाणु खनिज अन्वेषण एवं अनुसंधान निदे शालय
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research
विरल धातु एवं विरल मदृ ा वर्ग /Rare Metal and Rare Earth Group
खनिज प्रक्रमण इकाई /MINERAL PROCESSING UNIT
है दराबाद/Hyderabad-500016
संख्या/No.AMD/RMRE/MPU/2020-21/08 दिनांक/ Date- 07/07/2021

Monthly Report for June2021

असैन्में ट सं. /Assignment No. 4.1, 4.2& 4.3 (Code 1320400)

Details of samples received

Sample Details Progress during the Progress

Pending as on 30/06/2021
month during
Backlog Received Received Samples Samples 2020-21 Under To be Total
as on during the during study under progress taken up pending
01/06/2021 month 2020-21 completed progress

14 26 64 14 8 38 8 18 26

असैन्में टसं./ Assignment No. 4.1 पखनि क्षेत्रों से प्राप्त नमन

ू ों पर भौतिक सज्जीकरण /जलधातुकार्य अभिलक्षण
अध्ययन/ /Physical beneficiation and hydrometallurgical investigations of samples received from Regions.

1. Quartzite and biotite granite samples, Bommarajupalle, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh
Eleven grab samples consisting of quartzite (7 Nos.), conglomerate (1 No.) & biotite granite (3 Nos.)
weighing about 0.7 to 1.5 kg from Bommarajupalle area, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh were received
from Shri Soumya Sarkar, SO/C and Yadhu Krishnan, SO/D, Palnad-Nallamalai Sub-basin
Investigation/ SCR on 11/03/2021 vide sample slip ID 7020104/MPU/01 dated 03/03/2021. The
samples were taken up for physical beneficiation studies to recover heavy mineral concentrate for
provenance analysis. The mineral separation work on four samples was reported during the month of
May, 2021. The heavy mineral separation work on the remaining seven samples is carried out during
the month. However, the studies carried out on all the eleven samples are given below.
Physical beneficiation: The feed samples were crushed and ground to –40# size by Jaw crusher and
Rolls crusher and subjected to heavy minerals separation by wet shaking table. The table concentrates
were subjected to heavy media separation using bromoform and methylene iodide at specific gravities
of 2.89 and 3.3 to recover heavy minerals. Further, Ferro-magnetic minerals were separated from the
heavy media separation products using hand magnet. Details are given in table 1.

1
 Table 1 Heavy Media Separation ( -40# size feed samples)
S. Sample Nature of sample % Methylene % Ferro- % Methylene % Table
No. No. iodide magnetics iodide lights tailings
heavies
Grey fused 0.007 0.114 0.052 99.827
1 BMPQ-1 Cumbum quartzite
Grey fused 0.022 0.187 0.100 99.691
2 BMPQ-2 Cumbum quartzite
Dark grey fused 0.015 0.012 0.225 99.749
3 BMPQ-3 Cumbum quartzite
Fine grained fused 0.011 0.093 0.110 99.786
4 BMPQ-4 Cumbum quartzite
Grey fused 0.030 0.216 0.059 99.696
5 BMPQ-5 Cumbum quartzite
Calcareous greenish 0.003 0.029 0.149 99.818
6 BMPQ-6 Cumbum quartzite
Grey fused 0.111 0.601 0.094 99.194
7 BMPQ-7 Cumbum quartzite
Conglomerate 0.007 0.037 0.569 99.388
8 BMPC-1 (Cumbum)
Very coarse grained 0.154 0.198 2.698 96.950
9 BMPG-1 biotite granite
Very coarse grained 0.067 0.037 4.666 95.230
10 BMPG-2 biotite granite
Very coarse grained 0.030 0.098 3.963 95.910
11 BMPG-3 biotite granite

The above test indicated 0.003% to 0.154% by weight of MI heavies (non-ferromagnetic) and
Ferro-mags (0.012% to 0.601% by weight). All the products are handed over to the sample originator
for further studies.
2. Tin slag sample, M/s Precious Minerals & Smelting Ltd., Jagadalpur, Chhattisgarh
A tin slag sample weighing about 5 kg from M/s Precious Minerals & Smelting Ltd., Jagadalpur,
Chhattisgarh was received from RD/CR on 23/03/2021 vide sample slip ID dated 22/03/2021 for
extraction of U, REE, Nb & Ta.
Size reduction: The sample was crushed and ground to -6# size using Jaw crusher. Representative
samples were drawn for feed sieve analysis and whole rock analysis. Further work is in progress.

असैन्में टसं./AssignmentNo.4.2 आरएमआरई तथा बीएसओआई समह ू से प्राप्त नमन

ू ों पर प्रयोगशाला अध्ययन/
Laboratory investigations on samples received from RMRE and BSOI Groups.

1) Bulk core sample of Borehole RMN-3, Ramaniya area, Barmer dist., Siwana ring complex,
Rajasthan, RMRE/ WR:
A bulk core sample of borehole RMN-3 comprising of aegirine rich granite/ micro-granite, weighing
about 6 kg from Ramaniya area, Barmer dist., Siwana ring complex , Rajasthan was taken up for
physical beneficiation and hydrometallurgical studies for recovery of REE, Y, Nb bearing minerals.
(Sample received on 07/01/2021 from Shri S.K. Dehingia, SO/C, RMRE/WR vide sample slip ID

2
1320201-03 dated 06/01/2021). Mineral processing studies were taken up during Jan. 2021 and being
continued.
Leachability studies

Leachability tests on -100# size feed sample indicated 66.8% of total REE, 64.83% Y using 126 kg
H2SO4/ t in 6 hours of contact time without using any oxidant. To improve REE leachability further,
three experiments were carried out by conventional hot agitation leaching method at 90 0C temperature
for longer period of contact time i.e. 8 & 12 hours using 10 kg MnO 2/t as oxidant, 126 kg H2SO4/t and
60% solids pulp density. Chemical analysis results of leach liquor & residue are awaited.

2) Spodumene (enriched) pegmatite grab sample, Mangalur, Yadgir dt., Karnataka, RMRE, SR.
A spodumene (enriched) pegmatite grab sample weighing about 30 kg from Mangalur area, Yadgir
dist., Karnataka was taken up for physical beneficiation studies to upgrade/ recover lithium bearing
minerals. (Sample received on 11/02/2021 from Shri K. Thillairaj, SO/D and Shri Pradeep Upadhyay,
SO/D RMRE/SR vide sample slip ID 1320104/20 dated 11/02/2021). Physical beneficiation studies
were taken up during Feb. 2021 and being continued.
Chemical Analysis: The representative feed sample (-40#) chemically analysed 3.19% Li2O. The
whole rock analysis result received during the month is given in table 2.
Table 2 - Major oxide analysis (%)
SiO2 TiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 FeO MgO MnO CaO Na2O K2O P2O5 Li2O
<0.0
71.60 0.01 18.58 0.65 0.03 0.19 0.35 3.37 0.92 0.17 3.19
1

Minor elemental analysis (ppm)

Be Nb
57 60

The chemical analysis results indicate high concentration of SiO 2 (71.60%), Al2O3 (18.58%), Na2O
(3.37%), indicating the possible presence of sodic feldspar. The sample has been sent to Petrology Lab
for petro-mineralogical studies.
Flotation test for up-gradation of Lithium values: Flotation test was carried out on -20# feed
sample.
Experimental parameters:
200 grams: feed sample; 50% solids - pulp density; 30 minutes – scrubbing,
10 minutes - conditioning, 5 minutes froth collection time.
The flotation experiment was conducted with NaOH (2 kg/t) as modifier (alkaline pH: 10.5 obtained),
oleic acid ( 2ml) as collector and 2 drops of pine oil as frother on -20# feed sample, which, indicated
2.85% Li2O with 33% Li2O distribution and 32% weight in float. The details are given in table 3;

3
 Table 3 Flotation for up-gradation of Li
S.No. Product %Wt. % Li2O %Dist.
1 Float 32.0 2.85 33.00
2 sink 68.0 2.75 67.00
Total 100 2.78 100.00
The above flotation test did not indicate any significant recovery of Li values in the float fractions. Few
more flotation tests on -60# de-slimed sand and slime products separation to improve Li 2O recovery are
under progress.
The flow-sheet tested in the three routes for the up-gradation of %Li 2O values in the spodumene
sample is presented below.

असैन्मेंट सं./Assignment No. 4.3: भू-समकालिक अध्ययन के लिए यूरेनिनाइट का पृथक्करण / Separation of uraninite for
Geochronological studies.

I) Core powder samples from Sarangapalli area, Guntur district, A.P

Five core powder samples of basement granite & pebbly sandstone weighing about 200 grams each
were received from Head, MPG Group for separation of heavy mineral concentrate for
Geochronological studies (Sample ID 7020101/4, Assignment ID : 7020101, received on 09/06/21).
Beneficiation studies: Wet high intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS): The samples were initially
subjected to WHIMS for separation of magnetic and non-magnetic fractions. Further work to recover
heavy mineral concentrate using heavy media liquids on above samples is under progress.

4
Additional Assignment:
Tourmaline mineral samples for separation of pure tourmaline mineral concentrate for boron
isotope analysis

Seven Tourmaline mineral concentrate samples weighing about 540 to 740 grams received from
Head, PMSG Group for separation of pure tourmaline mineral concentrate to be provided to Head,
Chemistry for chemical analysis and preparation of sample solution to be dispatched to HWP,
Manuguru for Boron Isotopic Analysis. (Sample received on 02-06-2021, Sample slip ID:
AMD/PMSG/HWB/MPU-Tourmaline/2021).
All the seven samples were initially crushed to -6# size using Jaw Crusher. After
homogenization, ~ 200 grams of each sample is obtained by coning and quartering and the samples
were ground to -200# size using vibratory cup mill at Physics Lab., AMD, Hyderabad. Wet high
intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS) on the samples (–200#) was carried out. The magnetic
products obtained by WHIMS were further subjected to heavy media separation using bromoform by
centrifuge method. Details are given in table 4.

Table 4 Heavy Media Separation& WHIMS of -200# feed samples

S.No Sample No. Magnetic Magnetic Non-magnetic Total
Bromo-heavies Bromo-lights
Wt. %wt. Wt. %wt Wt. %wt. Wt. %wt.
grams grams grams grams
1 NR/TMLN/01 108 52.17 Traces -- 99 47.83 207 100.00
2 SR/TMLN/01 110 52.38 -do- -- 100 47.62 210 100.00
3 ER/TMLN/01 122 58.65 -do- -- 86 41.35 208 100.00
4 WR/TMLN/01 112 55.45 -do- -- 90 44.55 202 100.00
5 CR/TMLN/01 (DMP) 136 55.28 -do- -- 110 44.72 246 100.00
6 CR/TMLN/02 (JGN) 90 42.45 -do- -- 122 57.55 212 100.00
7 CR/TMLN/03 (JNPR) 144 68.57 -do- -- 66 31.43 210 100.00

The above test indicated 42.45% to 68.57% by weight of WHIMS-bromo heavies (tourmaline
mineral concentrate). All the separated bromo heavy-magnetic fractions (~60 grams each tourmaline
mineral concentrates) were sent to Head, Chemistry Group for chemical analysis and preparation of
sample solution to be dispatched to HWP, Manuguru for Boron Isotopic analysis as per the instructions
given in the Sample slip.

Miscellaneous:

i) Achievement report of Mineral Processing unit for the year 2020-21 (Nov.2020 to May 2021)
was prepared and submitted.

5
ii) Report on Tourmaline mineral samples for separation of pure tourmaline mineral concentrate
from Pegmatite horizons of NR, SR, ER, WR & CR-AMD for boron isotope analysis was
prepared and submitted.
iii) Shri G.V.S. Umamaheswara Rao, SO.E, as a member of Technical Committee for Scrutinising
Mining Plans Group (TCSM) attended meeting for scrutiny of mining plans (GSI reports on REE
exploration) on 21-06-2021.
iv) Monthly monitoring of pH on the toxic waste water samples generated from Tanks-1 and 4
received from Engineering Services Group. The effluent samples recorded 7.5 – 8.0 pH value
which is within the prescribed limit.
v) The under signed delivered an e-lecture as a guest faculty on the topic “Beneficiation and
recovery of REE-mineral concentrates: Challenges and Prospects with special reference to
Indian ores” on 23/06/2021 during e-training on Exploration for REE, RM and Strategic minerals
organized by GSI, Training Institute, Jaipur.
vi) Periodically attended Canteen Committee meeting as Vice-Chairman of the committee.

The above work is carried-out in association with Shri G.V.S. Umamaheswara Rao, SO/E.

(पि.शिवराम / P.SHIVARAM)
प्रभारी, खनिजप्रक्रमणइकाई / In-charge, MPU

Submitted to:
निदे शक, प.ख.नि/प.ऊ.वि., है दराबाद/ Director, AMD/DAE, Hyderabad
प्रतिलिपि/Copy to:
1) अपर निदे शक (अएवंवि), प.ख.नि/प.ऊ.वि., है दराबाद/ Additional Director (R&D), AMD, Hyderabad.
2) प्रधान, विरल धातु एवं विरल मद
ृ ा वर्ग, प.ख.नि/प.ऊ.वि., है दराबाद/ Head, RMRE Gp, AMD, Hyderabad.

(पि.शिवराम / P.SHIVARAM)
प्रभारी, खनिजप्रक्रमणइकाई / In-charge, MPU