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 प्रसंस्करण इकाई /MINERAL PROCESSING UNIT
है दराबाद/Hyderabad-500016
संख्या/No.AMD/RMRE/MPU/2020-21/11 दिनांक/ Date- 08/10/2021

Monthly Report for September 2021

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 30/09/2021
month during
Backlog Received Received Samples Samples 2020-21 Under To be Total
as on during the during study under progress taken up pending
01/09/2021 month 2020-21 completed progress

15 22 100 10 14 73 14 13 27

असैन्में ट सं./ 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. Bulk samples of sandstone, Rajpura area, Una district & Loharkar area, Hamirpur district,
Himachal Pradesh.
Two bulk sandstone samples weighing about 50 kg each from Rajpura area, Una district and
Loharkar area, Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh were taken up for physical beneficiation and
hydrometallurgical studies for extraction of uranium. (Sample received on 06/07/2021 from S/Shri
Dibakar Ghosh, SO/E, Vijay Yadav, SO/C (Rajpura area) and C.P. Panigrahi, SO.F (Loharkar area),
Siwalik Invs.,/NR, New Delhi vide sample slip ID 102020108-R, dated 29/06/2021 & 102020404, dated
28-06-2021). (Note: These are the revised samples of earlier sample slip dated 10/04/2021, which were
discarded due to sampling error and fresh samples were requested).
The samples were received to carryout uranium leachability studies on laboratory scale for establishing
in-house pilot plant for In-situ leaching (ISL) mining in Himachal Pradesh (Ref. letter no. AMD-43(1)/20-
PMSG dated 01/04/2021 from Head, PMSG). In this connection, prior to establishing the in-house pilot
plant, bench scale leaching experiments on above samples has been planned to establish the feasibility
of uranium leachability and flow-sheet development. Mineral processing studies were taken up during
July 2021 and being continued.
Radiometric assay and chemical analysis of feed samples are given in table-1.

1
 Table- 1 Radiometric assay & Chemical analysis- Rajpura & Loharkar areas
Sample details Radiometric assay Chemical analysis
S.No Sample No. Locality % % %ThO %Ra %U3O8 %U3O8
eU3O8 U3O8 2 (eU3O8) (T) (Leachable
)
1 RJP/TMP/1(R) Rajpura 0.016 0.022 <0.005 0.015 0.0207 0.0205
176ppm 174ppm U(T)
U(T)
2 LHR/MPU/1(R) Loharkar 0.025 0.011 <0.005 0.024 0.0060 0.0056
51ppm U(T) 48ppm U(L)

Physical beneficiation studies:

Size analysis: Size analysis was carried out (Aug. 21) to know the preferential concentration of
uranium in any particular size. The size analysis products have been sent for chemical analysis.
Results are awaited.
Wet tabling and magnetic separation @ 16 kilogauss. The feed samples were crushed to (-)20# size
and subjected to gravity separation using wet shaking table to recover heavy minerals present. Further,
the table concentrates were subjected to magnetic separation using Perm Roll Magnetic Separator
(PRMS) @ 16 kilogauss to know the exact percentage of magnetic heavy minerals present. The
products were sent for chemical analysis of uranium values. The results are awaited. The details are
given in table 2.
Table 2
Sl.No. Product Rajpura (%Wt.) Loharkar (% Wt.)
1 T.conc/PRMS mags 1.10 3.38
2 T.conc/PRMS Non-mags 2.75 12.38
3 T.Tails 96.15 84.24
Total 100.00 100.00

Leachability studies: Cold pugging and Static bed leaching

In continuation to the conventional hot agitation leaching and percolation leaching experiments carried
out on -1/4” feed samples (Aug 21),further, three experiments each were carried out by cold pugging
and static bed leaching process by mixing the ore with 90 kg H2SO4/t at ambient temperature for a
period of 1, 3 & 5 days respectively . The oxidant added in each of the experiment was 10 kg MnO 2/t.
The products have been sent for chemical analysis, results are awaited. Further work is in progress

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. Mineral processing studies were taken up during July 2021 and being
continued.
Physical beneficiation studies

2
Size analysis, Wet high intensity separation (WHIMS) and heavy media separation
The sample was crushed and ground to -40# size and sieving was carried out using 100 and 200#
sieves. Two step beneficiation studies which include wet high intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS)
followed by heavy media separation using bromoform on the three mesh products i.e. -40+100, -
100+200 and -200# is under progress to separate the ore minerals and to obtain enrichment of U, REE,
Nn & Ta values in the magnetic and heavy mineral products.
Hydrometallurgical Studies: Hot alkaline agitation leaching test was conducted to leach U3O8 and
REE minerals from the feed product (during Aug 21). The test was carried out using sodium carbonate
(pH 10.0, 25 kg/t) and sodium bi-carbonate (10 kg/t) as leaching agents on samples ground to –40#,
with 6 hours agitation time, 60 oC temperature, 60%solids pulp density, without use of any oxidant.
Leach liquor & residue have been sent for chemical analysis, results are awaited.

असैन्में टसं./AssignmentNo.4.2: आरएमआरई तथा बीएसओआई समूह 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
1320201-03 dated 06/01/2021). Mineral processing studies were taken up during Jan. 2021 and being
continued.
Residue characterization studies
Residue charectrisation studies were carried out during Aug 2021. Leached residue of the experiment
carried out on the feed samples ground to -100# size (68% total rare earths leachability) was subjected
to sieve analysis using 150, 200 mesh sieves. The heavy minerals from the sieved fractions were
separated using bromoform. Ferromagnetic material from the bromo heavies was separated using a
hand magnet which was found to be in traces. The details of the products are given in table 3

Table 3 - Residue characterization studies (RMN-3)

S. No. Size % Wt. %Bromo-heavies % Bromo-lights
Non-ferro magnetic
1 -100+150# 22.24 4.28 17.96
2 -150+200# 18.59 3.88 14.71
3 -200 59.17 0.80 58.37
TOTAL 100.00 8.96 91.04

Sieve analysis has indicated the presence of 59% material in -200# size. The leached residue contains
8.96% non-ferro magnetic bromo-heavies and 91.04% bromo-lights. Chemical analysis results of the
products are awaited.

3
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.
Physical beneficiation
Stage-wise size reduction of -6# feed samples to obtain higher recovery (>80%) of Spodumene mineral
concentrate with lean grade tailings was carried out during Aug 2021, representative feed sample after
crushing to -6# size was subjected to heavy media separation using bromoform to recover spodumene
mineral fraction. Ferro-magnetic was separated from the heavy mineral products using a hand magnet
which was found to be in traces. Further, the -6# size bromo light fraction was crushed to -20# size and
subjected to heavy media separation using bromoform. The bromo light product (-20#) so obtained
was re-crushed to -40# size and subjected to bromoform separation. Magnetic separation of bromo
heavies (spodumene products) was carried out by Perm Roll Magnetic Separator (PRMS) to remove
magnetic impurities. The details are given in table 4.
Table 4 Heavy minerals separation data
(Stage-wise crushing of -6# feed)
S.No. Product wt.
1 Ferromagnetic Traces
2 Bromo Heavies @ -6# size 28.93
3 Bromo Heavies @ -20# size 2.69
4 Bromo Heavies @ -40# size 0.46
5 Bromo Heavies (magnetic impurity) 1.26
6 Bromo Lights 66.66
Total 100.00
The above studies indicated 32.08% by weight of spodumene mineral concentrate. The products have
been sent for analysis of % Li2O. Chemical analysis results are awaited.

असैन्में ट सं./Assignment No. 4.3: भू-समकालिक अध्ययन के लिए यूरेनिनाईट का पथ

ृ क्करण / Separation
of uraninite for Geochronological studies

1) Arkosic grit sample from Murdoli area, Gondiya district, Maharshtra

Two (2) grab rock samples of Arkosic Grit weighing about 518 and 886 grams each from Murdoli area,
Gondia district, Maharashtra were received for size analysis ranging from 40# to 250#, for further study
of radioactivity associated with different sieve fractions from S/Shri Harsh Yalla, SO.E, & B. Ravinder
Goud, SO.E, ASRS Group, Hyderabad (Assignment ID: 9020105, Sample slip ID: 902010508; Sample
received on 01/09/2021 vide sample slip dated 01/09/21).
Size reduction and Size analysis of feed samples

4
The feed samples were crushed and ground to –30# size by Jaw crusher and hand pounding.
Size analysis of the feed sample (-30#) was carried out using 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 200 and 270 #
sieves by Ro-Tap Sieve Shaker. The details with size distribution are given in table-5

Table 5 Size analysis of -30# feed sample

Sample No. MDL/Z3/02 MDL/RA/16
S.No. Size # %Wt. % CWP % CWR %Wt. % CWP % CWR
1 -30+40 21.56 78.44 21.56 28.19 71.81 28.19
2 -40+60 21.67 56.77 43.23 23.94 47.87 52.13
3 -60+80 20.09 36.68 63.32 12.93 34.94 65.06
4 -80+ 100 6.66 30.02 69.98 5.21 29.73 70.27
5 -100+120 12.86 27.16 72.84 9.46 20.27 79.73
6 -120+140 11.35 5.81 94.19 12.16 8.11 91.89
7 -140+200 4.63 1.18 98.82 3.67 4.44 95.56
8 -200+270 1.02 0.16 99.84 4.05 0.39 99.61
9 -270# 0.16 -- 100.00 0.39 -- 100.00
100.00 100.00
CWP: cumulative weight passing, CWR: cumulative weight retained.

All the size analysis products are handed over to the sample originator for further investigations.

2) Pegmatite leucosome sample from Kurludih area, Balarampur district, Chhattisgarh

Four Grab samples consisting of Pegmatite leucosome rock from Kurludih area weighing about 6.7 to
7.4 kg received from S/Shri J.Hazarika, SO.C & E. Lingamurty, SO.D, CGGC Invs., AMD, CR, Nagpur
for separation of MI heavy minerals for further geochronological studies. (Assignment ID: 6020205,
Sample slip ID: 602020523; Sample received on 14/06/2021 vide sample slip dated 02/06/21).
Size reduction, wet tabling and heavy media separation of feed samples
The feed rock samples were crushed and ground to -40# size by Jaw crusher and hand pounding. Wet
tabling was carried out on the -40# size feed. The table concentrates were further subjected to heavy
media separation using bromoform (sp.gr. 2.89) and methylene iodide (sp. gr. 3.3) Ferro-magnetics
were separated from the heavy mineral products using a hand magnet which are found to be in traces
in the samples of Kurludih. The details of the products are given in table 6.

Table 6 Heavy Media separation of feed sample

S.No. Product KLD-1 KLD-2 KLD-3 KLD-4
1 Ferromagnetics Traces Traces Traces Traces
2 MI Heavies 30 grams 90.0 grams 32.0 grams 29 grams
(Non-Ferromagnetics) (0.44% wt.) (2.59% wt.) (1.32%) (1.22 %wt.)
3 MI Lights 23.0 g 22.5 g 17.8 g 16 g
(0.34%) (0.36% wt.) (0.70% wt.) (0.73% wt.)
4 *Untreated table conc Nil 107 grams 91 g 99 grams
5 Table tailings 6647 g 6502 g 6662 g 7255 g
(Bromolihgts & Slimes lost (99.22%wt.) (97.05%wt.) (97.98% wt.) (98.05% wt.)
during tabling )
Total 6700 g 6700 g 6800 g 7400 g
100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
* About 141 to 220 grams of table concentrates were obtained in KLD-2, KLD-3, KLD-4 samples. A part of representative
table conc. samples were subjected to MI separation in order to reduce the MI liquid consumption. The samples also
recorded 29 to 90 grams MI heavies.

5
Heavy media separation studies on above samples indicated the presence of 29 – 90 grams of MI
Heavies (0.44% - 2.59% wt.), 16 to 23 grams of MI lights (0.34% to 0.73%) and 6502 to 7255 grams of
table tailings & slimes (97.05 to 99.22%wt.).
All the products are handed over to Head, MPG for further investigations. The process flowsheet is
enclosed (Annexure I).
3) Pegmatite leucosome sample from Dumarpan area, Balarampur district, Chhattisgarh

Two Grab samples of Pegmatite leucosome rock weighing about 3 to 4 kg received from S/Shri
J.Hazarika, SO.C & E. Lingamurty, SO.D, CGGC Invs., AMD, CR, Nagpur for separation of MI heavy
minerals for further Geochronological studies. (Assignment ID: 6020206, Sample slip ID: 602020611;
Sample received on 14/06/2021 vide sample slip dated 02/06/21).
Size reduction, wet tabling and heavy media separation of feed sample
The samples were crushed and ground to -40# size by Jaw crusher and hand pounding. Wet tabling
was carried out on the -40# size feed. The table concentrate was further subjected to heavy media
separation using bromoform (sp.gr. 2.89) and methylene iodide (sp. gr. 3.3) Ferro-magnetic minerals
were separated from the heavy mineral products using a hand magnet. The details of the products are
given in table 7.

Table 7 Heavy Media separation of feed sample

DMP-2 DMP-3
S.No. Product
Wt. in grams Wt. in grams
3.35 4.5
1 Ferromagnetics
(0.111% wt.) (0.113% wt.)
MI Heavies 0.47 0.59
2
(Non-Ferromagnetics) (0.015% wt) (0.015% wt.)
1.37 0.91
3 MI Lights
(0.045% wt.) (0.022% wt.)
Table tailings
2994.81 3994
4 (includes Bromolihgts &Slimes
(99.829% wt.) (99.85%wt.)
lost during wet tabling )
3000 4000
Total
100.00 (100% wt.)

Heavy media separation indicated the presence of 0.47 to 0.59 grams MI heavies ( 0.015%wt.), 3.35 to
4.5 grams Ferromagnetics ( 0.11%wt.), 0.91 to 1.37 grams MI lights ( 0.022% to 0.045%wt.) and 2995
to 3394 grams table tailings & slimes (99.83 to 99.85% wt.) All the products are handed over to Head,
MPG for further investigations. The process flowsheet is enclosed (Annexure II).

4) Migmatite/Granite samples from Das Nala/Sastry nala and Kamlang Nagar, Lohit district,
Arunachal Pradesh
Two (2) grab samples consisting of Leucosome of migmatitic gneiss, Leucogranite rock from Das
Nala/Sastry Nala and Kamlang Nagar, Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh weighing about 1.7 to 2 kg
respectively were received from Incharge, Geochronology laboratory for separation of MI heavy mineral
concentrate for further geochronological studies. (Assignment ID: 4020206, Sample slip ID: 4020206-
22, grab rock samples Sample received on 14/07/2021 vide sample slip dated 14/07/21).
Size reduction, magnetic and heavy media separation of feed sample
6
 The feed rock samples were crushed and ground to -40# size by Jaw crusher and hand
pounding. The ground samples were subjected to desliming. The sand fractions were subjected to
magnetic separation at 20 kilogauss magnetic intensity using Perm Roll Magnetic Separator (PRMS) to
separate magnetic and non-magnetic fractions. The magnetic fractions were further subjected to heavy
media separation using bromoform (sp.gr. 2.89) and methylene iodide (sp. gr. 3.3). Ferro-magnetic
minerals were separated from the MI heavy mineral products using a hand magnet. The non-magnetic
sand fractions were also subjected to heavy media separation and the heavy minerals are found to be
in traces. The details of the products are given in table 8.

Table 8 Heavy Media Separation of feed samples

MI Heavies
Ferromags MI Lights Br. Lights Slimes Total
(Non-ferromag)
S.No. Sample No.
Wt. Wt. % Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. %
% wt. % wt. % wt. % wt.
gram gram wt. gram gram gram gram wt.

1 DSNBP/25 10.30 0.61 1.50 0.09 29.80 1.75 936.35 55.08 722 42.47 1700 100

2 KML/QF/1 0.60 0.03 1.60 0.08 3.55 0.18 1224.25 61.21 770 38.50 2000 100

The above test indicated the presence of 10.31 and 0.60 grams MI heavies (0.61% & 0.03% wt.
respectively), 1.5 to 1.6 grams Ferro-magnetics (0.08 – 0.09%wt.), 3.55 – 29.80 grams MI lights
(0.18% to 1.75%wt.) and 936 – 1224 grams bromo lights (55 – 61% wt.) & 722 – 770 grams slimes
(38.5 to 42.47% wt.). All the products are handed over to In-charge, Geochronology Laboratory for
further investigations. The process flow-sheet is enclosed (Annexure III).

5. Quartzo feldspathic rock and Pegmatitic Leucosome Mobilizate rock samples from
Gangkak (West Siang dist.) and Ringi Nala (West Garo Hills dist.), Arunachal Pradesh
Two Quartzo-feldspathic rock and Pegmatitic Leucosome Mobilizate rock samples (poly-metallic)
weighing about 4-5 kg each were received from In-charge, Geochronology laboratory for separation of
MI heavy mineral concentrate for further Geochronological studies. (Assignment ID: 4020202, Sample
slip ID: 4020202/13, Sample received on 10109/2021 vide sample slip dated 01/09/21).
Size reduction: The samples were crushed and ground to -40# size using Jaw crusher and hand
pounding. Further heavy mineral separation work is in progress.
6. Core samples of Granite from Ramaniya, Barmer district, Rajasthan
Eleven nos. of powdered core samples of granite from Ramaniya area, Barmer district, Rajasthan
weighing about 100-200 grams were received from Head, MPG Group for separation of heavy mineral
concentrate with reference to zircon for Geochronological studies (Assignment ID : 1320201, Sample
slip ID 1320201-45, received on 02/09/21).
Magnetic separation: The samples were subjected to magnetic separation using Iso-dynamic
separator at 1.7 amperes to obtain zircon in the non-magnetic product. Further separation of pure
zircon fractions by heavy media separation is in progress.

7
Miscellaneous:
i) Preparation and submission of MPU Laboratory reports:
a) Arkosic grit sample from Murdoli area, Gondiya district, Maharashtra
b) Pegmatite leucosome sample from Kurludih area, Balarampur district, Chhattisgarh
c) Pegmatite leucosome sample from Dumarpan area, Balarampur district, Chhattisgarh
d) Migmatite/Granite samples from Das Nala/Sastry nala and Kamlang Nagar, Lohit district,
Arunachal Pradesh
ii) Shri G.V.S. Umamaheswara Rao, SO.E, as a member of Technical Committee for Scrutinising
Mining Plans Group (TCSM), scrutinized two (2) mining plans of - Mohuldih Uranium Mine
submitted by UCIL and NK Block IV EE of IREL (India) Ltd., Chavara.
iii) 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 7.2 – 7.4 pH value
which is within the prescribed limit.
iv) Officers & staff of MPU participated in the Hindi Pakhwada programme from 14 th to 29 th Sept.
2021.
v) Periodically attended Canteen Committee meeting as Vice-Chairman of the committee.

(पि.शिवराम / P.SHIVARAM)
प्रभारी, खनिज प्रसंस्करण इकाई / 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, खनिज प्रसंस्करण इकाई / In-charge, MPU

8
 Annexure -I

FLOWSHEET FOR THE SEPARATION OF HEAVY MINERAL CONCENTRATES

FROM KURLUDIH AREA, BALARAMPUR DISTRICT, CHHATTISGARH)

ROM

CRUSHED TO -40#

WET TABLING

TABLE CONCENTRATE TABLE TAILINGS

LOW INTENSITY MAGNETIC

SEPARATION (HAND MAGNET)

FERRO-MAGNETIC NON-FERROMAGNETIC

HEAVY MEDIA SEPARATION USING BROMOFORM AND METHYLENE IODIDIE

MI HEAVIES MI LIGHTS

Annexure-II
9
 FLOWSHEET FOR THE SEPARATION OF HEAVY MINERAL CONCENTRATES

(DUMARPAN AREA, BALARAMPUR DISTRICT, CHHATTISGARH)

ROM

CRUSHED TO -40#

WET TABLING

TABLE CONCENTRATE TABLE TAILINGS

LOW INTENSITY MAGNETIC

SEPARATION (HAND MAGNET)

FERRO-MAGNETIC NON-FERROMAGNETIC

HEAVY MEDIA SEPARATION USING BROMOFORM AND METHYLENE IODIDIE

MI HEAVIES MI LIGHTS

Annexure-III

FLOWSHEET FOR THE SEPARATION OF HEAVY MINERAL CONCENTRATES

10
 (LEUCOSOME OF MIGMATITIC GNEISS & LEUCOGRANITE ROCK SAMPLES FROM DAS
NALA/SASTRY NALA AND KAMLANG NAGAR AREAS, LOHIT DISTRICT, ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
ROM

Crushed to -40#

.Desliming @200#

Sand Slime

Magnetic Separation @ 20 Kilogauss (PRMS)

Non-Magnetic
Magnetic

Heavy media separation using bromoform Heavy media separation using bromoform
and Methylene Iodide

MI Heavies MI Lights Bromo lights

@ sp.gr. 3.3
Bromo heavies Bromo lights
Traces)
Low intensity Mag. separation (Hand magnet)

Non-ferro mag Ferromagnetic

MI Heavies s

11