Mineralogical Assessment of Ashashire Gold Ore to Investigate Its Beneficiation Potential by Flotation Method, in Benishangul Gumuz, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

As a technique of separation, flotation is seen to be especially significant to the economy of the industrialized world. Many common metals are tough and costly to extract since the high-grade ores that basic physical and mechanical processes could handle have long since run out. This study was conducted to assess the mineral composition of the Ashashire gold ore deposit and investigate its potential for flotation-based-beneficiation in the Benishangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia. The Ministry of Mines provided the resources for a research study and experimental study including representative sample collection and preparation, mineralogical characterization and analysis of the associated elements, data interpretation, and analysis. Mineralogical analysis was undertaken using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), Quantitative Evaluation of Material by Scanning Electron Microscope (QEMSCAN), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Through the utilization of these rigorous methodologies and advanced analytical techniques, valuable insights were gained into the distribution, mineral composition, and characteristics of gold ore in the Ashashire area. The goal of the mineralogical testing assessment was to determine the type of gold ore deposit, the nature and mode of occurrence of the gold-bearing minerals, the identification and quantification of the gangue minerals present in the entire ore, and the possibility of beneficiation by flotation techniques. For the XRF analysis, fourteen samples were taken, and the major and trace elements were analyzed to know their percentage. The sample’s investigation revealed that the main gangue mineral was quartz, with minor gangue minerals including ankerite-dolomite, albite, chlorite, muscovite, pyrite, calcite, paragonite, rutile, magnetite, and others. Every experimental mineralogical examination conducted by organizations and individuals in Ashashire ore mineralogy produces comparable results. The Ashashire gold ore deposit is not effective in investigating the beneficiation potential using the flotation method. It is not economically feasible to concentrate Ashashire gold ore for the assessed gangue minerals using the flotation method due to the large losses and chemical reagent consumption caused by the associated gangues within the deposit.