Talc Beneficiation through Flotation Techniques in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Sidama Regional State, Hoko Woreda
| dc.contributor.advisor | Anteneh Marlign (PhD) | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Desisa Yadeta (PhD) Co-Advisor | |
| dc.contributor.author | Wakjira Tesfaye | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-05-21T08:37:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-05-21T08:37:46Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-03 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Talc is a hydrated magnesium layered silicate mineral. The major uses are in the plastics industry, rubber, cosmetics, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals. Properties include increasing stiffness and resistance to heat and are suitable for talcum powder and tablet formulations since it is soft and inert. This project discusses the flotation parameters of talc beneficiation, sourced from the Sidama Regional State in Ethiopia, using high-grade and high-recovery outputs. The flotation techniques have always remained favorable for talc-beneficiating processes, especially because the process achieves gangue mineral separation. The experiments showed that under optimum conditions, the pH was 11, the collector dosage was 1.2 kg/ton, and the depressant dosage was 1.0 kg/ton, maintaining the pulp density at 200 g/l and an impeller speed of 1100 rpm. Under these conditions, the talc recovery was 74.25% in the flotation process. The chemical analysis of the resulting talc concentrate showed significant improvements: SiO₂ increased from 58.2% to 73.01%, while MgO increased from 24.22% to 24.62%. The Fe₂O₃ content decreased remarkably from 14.37% to 1.66%, reflecting a successful removal of impurities and a substantial increase in the purity of the final product. Results indicate that oleic acid and kerosene oil, with sodium hexametaphosphate as a depressant and propyl glycol as a frother, gave the best recovery with a grade improvement. Such a scheme of optimization of flotation conditions to improve talc quality is important in fulfilling these industrial applications in the industries of ceramics. This work contributes to an understanding of talc beneficiation techniques and forms the ground for further research on enhancing the talc recovery methods in Ethiopia and meeting the requirements of various industries for economic development. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/5520 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.subject | Talc | |
| dc.subject | Beneficiation | |
| dc.subject | Flotation | |
| dc.subject | Assay | |
| dc.subject | and Recovery | |
| dc.title | Talc Beneficiation through Flotation Techniques in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Sidama Regional State, Hoko Woreda | |
| dc.type | Thesis |