Evaluation for the beneficiability of silica sands from Cherthala area of Alappuzha district, Kerala, India.

Abstract

In the present study, representative raw sand samples from Panambukattuveli Mines and Hyma Mines situated in the coastal tract of Vembanattu backwaters in Kerala state of India were selected. Since both the samples are found to have similar chemical properties, they were blended in equal weight basis for preparing the representative feed sample. Blended sand (feed) sample analysed 96.5% SiO₂ and ancillary impurity minerals were assayed as 0.327% Fe₂O₃, 0.50% TiO₂ and 2.101% of Al₂O₃. XRD pattern showed the presence of high percentage of silica. Beneficiation of the sand samples by employing techniques such as screening, attrition and wet high intensity magnetic separation is found to produces ‘special grade glass making sand’ as the principal product. Optional principal product produced during the process is ‘Grade I glass sand’ and ‘foundry sand’. By products of beneficiation are ‘coarse grit of above 600µm’ which can find use as landfill, a ‘heavy mineral concentrate’ which can be added to the second stage feed stock of a beach sand mineral processing plant and finally a ‘fine sand’ of below 180µm which after milling can be use for investment casting. Thus almost all the fractions can be made use of.