Extraction of low grade zinc ore found in Gumau- Toro town was carried out using gravity and froth flotation methods. Analysis of the chemical composition reveals that the crude ore contains 20.20% Zinc and other related minerals such as 66.72% SiO2, 2.36%.Pb, 16.62%Fe, 0.001%Ag, these are impurities that hindered the grade of zinc in this ore from appreciating. Fractional and grain sieve size results revealed that the liberation size of the ore is at -355+250μm assaying 32.41%Zn. At this liberation sieve size, the low grade zinc ore was subjected to four different beneficiation methods using five kilograms (5kg) each as charge into Wilfley shaking Table, Humphrey spiral concentrator, Air floating Machine and one kilogram (1kg) for froth flotation. Resulting products (concentrate and tailing) from these processes were analyzed using instrumentation method. Percentage recovery of each applied process was calculated. This was used to ascertain that the use of froth flotation that gives 74.32%Zn at a recovery of 84.62% stands out the best method for zinc extraction towards value addition to the low grade crude zinc ore. ©JASEM Key words: Extraction, Upgrading, Gravity, Froth flotation, Mineral, Fractional analysis.

Determination of work index of graphite from Samanburkono (Nigeria) using modified bond's method

The recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has become increasingly important due to the rising demand for energy storage solutions and the need to mitigate environmental impacts. Among the valuable materials within spent LIBs, lithium metal oxide is particularly sought after for its role in battery production. This review explores the application of microwave technology in combination with froth flotation and magnetic processes for the recovery of lithium metal oxide from spent LIBs. Microwave technology has emerged as a promising method for LIB recycling due to its ability to selectively heat materials and accelerate chemical reactions. In the context of lithium metal oxide recovery, microwave irradiation offers advantages such as rapid and uniform heating, selective heating of target compounds, and enhanced reaction kinetics. These attributes contribute to reduced processing times, lower energy consumption, and improved recovery efficiency. Froth flotation is a widely used separation technique that exploits differences in surface hydrophobicity to separate minerals. In LIB recycling, froth flotation has been adapted to recover lithium metal oxide from electrode materials. The incorporation of microwave technology into froth flotation processes provides several benefits. Microwaves selectively heat lithium metal oxide particles, facilitating their detachment from the electrode surface and enhancing their recovery. Additionally, microwave-assisted pretreatment promotes the liberation of active materials, leading to increased exposure to flotation reagents and improved recovery rates. Moreover, microwave-assisted froth flotation requires lower temperatures and shorter flotation times, resulting in energy savings and reduced operating costs. Magnetic separation is another method commonly used in LIB recycling to recover magnetic materials such as cobalt and nickel. By exploiting the magnetic properties of these materials, magnetic separation enables their separation from non-magnetic components. Integrating microwave technology into magnetic separation processes offers opportunities for enhanced efficiency and selectivity. Microwave irradiation can assist in the liberation of magnetic materials from electrode materials, promoting their separation. Furthermore, microwave-assisted magnetic separation can operate at lower temperatures and shorter processing times, contributing to energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The application of microwave technology in conjunction with froth flotation and magnetic processes shows promise for the efficient recovery of lithium metal oxide from spent LIBs. The synergistic effects of microwave irradiation with these separation techniques lead to improved recovery rates, reduced energy consumption, and lower environmental impact. However, further research is needed to optimize process parameters, scale up operations, and address challenges such as material heterogeneity and equipment design. With continued innovation and collaboration, microwave-assisted recycling processes have the potential to play a significant role in advancing sustainable battery recycling practices.

The reducibility studies on the produced pellets from Itakpe and Agbaja iron ore blends were carried out. The chemical, morphology and structural analysis of the ores were examined using Thermogravimetry (TG), Differential Thermal Analyzer (DTA), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Optical and Electron Microscopy showing the microstructure of the pellets and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS).The reducibility studies were performed using a muffle furnace. The produced pellets were taken inside stainless steel containers with diameter 60.75 mm x 59.40 mm inside diameter with mouths tightly closed by an air tight cover having an outlet for exit gas , The SEM and EDS tests were performed to study the morphology of the pellets .The reduced pellets at 800oC for 120mins gave an iron(Fe) value of 4.5 wt% , at 920oC for 120mins, iron content(Fe) value obtained was 84.5wt% and at 1000oC and 120mins the iron (Fe) content value was 6.4wt% while the selected samples of the pellets from Agbaja iron ore at the same temperatures were 800oC for 120mins, the iron(Fe) content was 40.7wt%, at 920oC for 120mins, the iron (Fe) content value was 60.2wt% and at 1000oC for 120 mins the iron (Fe) content was 56.2wt% . The Itakpe pellets exhibited better reducibility than the Agbaja pellets when subjected to the same conditions.