CFlo

Vedanta FACOR
Chromite Ore Beneficiation

Vedanta FACOR Achieves Sustainable Chromite Ore Beneficiation with CFlo Technology

Industry Challenge:
Lower Grade Chrome, Higher Costs

The ferrochrome industry has been dealing with decreasing chromite ore quality, requiring costly and resource-intensive beneficiation processes that often trade yield for purity. FACOR, a leader in chrome ore mining, and CFlo, a champion of sustainable wet processing solutions, have collaborated to improve chrome concentrate production at FACOR's Jajpur, Odisha mines. This initiative aims to enhance FACOR's Ferrochrome production and minimize chrome value loss in tailings, contributing to a more eco-friendly and efficient future.

FACOR:
40 Years of Excellence in Ferrochrome

Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited (FACOR), one of India's oldest and most respected producers of High Carbon Ferrochrome, embodies the spirit of responsible and sustainable mining practices. For four decades, they've been known for consistent supply, best-in-class quality, and service in the domestic and global markets. Excellence is their  motto, achieved through stringent quality and cost control measures, coupled with a deep commitment to ESG principles. But even heroes face challenges. FACOR's abundance of low-grade chromite ore threatened their sustainability goals and production capacity

FACOR Aims to Improve Chromite Ore Processing

Traditional beneficiation methods, while improving the final product, came at a hefty price: low yield and high processing costs. FACOR needed a solution that could unlock the potential of their low-grade ore, maximizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact.

Higher Yield & Lower Cost with Oremax: CFlo's Advanced Mineral Beneficiation Solution

After a thorough assessment of the client's feed, CFlo recommended a custom-designed Oremax, a chrome beneficiation plant offering the following features:

  • Feeding
  • Product Dewatering
  • Basic Scrubbing
  • Product Stockpiling
  • Intense Washing
  • Water Management
  • Efficient Screening
  • Sludge Management
  • Double-stage De-sliming

Oremax offered a multi-faceted solution:

  • Boost in Yield Grade: Oremax meticulously separates valuable chromite from waste, significantly improving the feed for FACOR's existing beneficiation plant. This resulted in both higher final product grade and increased yield thereby maximizing resource utilization.
  • Cleaner Tailings, Greener Future: The process also yields cleaner tailings, minimizing environmental impact and potentially opening doors for future repurposing opportunities.
  • Streamlined Production: Some of the high-grade fine particles processed by Oremax, could be directed straight to the ferrochrome plant with no further beneficiation & hence streamlining the process.
  • Sustainable Design: Oremax embodies CFlo's commitment to sustainability. The compact, skid-mounted design minimizes space and relocation needs, while the water and sludge management system facilitates zero discharge and 95% water recirculation, minimizing environmental footprint. The patented plant design ensures minimum unit power consumption.

Table depicting the feed and product grades

  Feed Product 1 Product 2 Tailing
Record Input Grade Grade Recovery Grade Recovery Grade Recovery
Data 1 22.43 24.33 34.7 30.91 37.52 11.4 27.78
Data 2 16.34 16.22 47.7 19.51 33.79 12.16 18.5
Data 3 15.33 21.03 53.78 20.4 35.43 7.73 10.79
Data 4 20.27 24.96 55.05 33.07 36.42 8.87 8.53
Data 5 22.05 23.19 49.53 26.48 39.43 9.76 11.04
Data 6 19.01 20.53 42.66 32.69 25.12 8.24 32.22
Data 7 16.6 20.02 35.87 25.21 27.81 8.11 36.31

The data in the Table above indicates how low-grade ore bordering on waste value has been upgraded to plant-grade feed. This has resulted in a great boost in resource utilization, reduction of unusable ore inventory, and at the same time ensuring the final reject grade remains well within government-specified limits.

"CFlo's Oremax system has been a game-changer for FACOR at Jajpur," says Dr. A. Bandyopadhyay, Chief Technologist at CFlo. "It has not only improved their yield and product quality but has also helped them achieve significant cost savings and environmental benefits. CFlo's innovative solutions and commitment to sustainability make us a true partner in progress."

Dr. A. Bandyopadhyay

Chief Technologist at CFlo

Beyond Words:
A Partnership for Progress

FACOR's success story underscores the transformative power of innovative technology and collaborative partnerships. By embracing CFlo's Oremax solution, they have not only navigated the challenge of low-grade ore but have emerged as a leader in sustainable and efficient ferrochrome production, paving the way for a greener future for the industry

Vedanta FACOR

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