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With the increasing demand and depletion of high-grade ore deposit, attention is being diverted to recover the need from previously ignored, low grade ore deposits. The low grade ores are being processed by the different advance techniques of mineral processing. In this research Black Shale of Chimiari region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan was processed by floatation technique with three different reagents i.e. collectors (Sodium Amyl Xanthate and Sodium Ethyl Xanthate, triton-x-100), frothers (methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) and Pine oil) and depressant (sodium silicate) with varying dosage rates as well as particle size. Three different anionic collectors, one from oxyhydryl group (triton-x-100) and others from sulphydryl group (xanthates) have been tested. Results shows that Triton-X-100 gives highest recoveries among three collectors however, grades were not improved. Sodium ethyl xanthate gives more improved results for Cu, Zn, Ti and V etc. than sodium amyl xanthate. Keeping in view the grade-recovery aspect of Total carbon content (TCC), it was observed that a dosage rate of 200 g/t of sodium amyl xanthate give better results than triton-x-100 and sodium ethyl xanthate. Two frothers from neutral category, Methyl iso-butyl carbinol (MIBC) and Pine oil were also tested and it was found that the performance MIBC was impressive than Pine oil at same dosage rates. Sodium Silicate was used as depressant for the gangue minerals (clay and silica) and results reveals that at dosage rate of 1.5 kg/t, clay minerals were depressed more than silicate. Similarly, tests were performed with heads of four particle sizes ranges of -53, -106+53, -150+106 and -212+150 microns respectively. Particle size analysis reveals that fine grinding improves recovery of TCC from 45% to 68%, while grads decreased. It was also found that fine grinding also improves recovery of heavy metals. The analysis of floated fractions with XRF and ICP-OES, also confirm the up-gradation of many base and heavy earth metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turbidite-associated black shale of the Semanggol Formation is extensively distributed in the northwestern part of the Western Belt, Peninsular Malaysia. The black shale occurs as a dark grey to black and thick to medium-bedded deposit. It represents the distal part of submarine fan system (outer-fan) overlying interbedded sandstone to shale facies of the mid-fan and conglomeratic pebbly sandstone facies of the inner-fan. Field observations and its widespread occurrence have resulted in the black shale being considered as a potential analog for a source rock in offshore Peninsular Malaysia. The present study includes detailed mineralogical (XRD, SEM, and EDX analysis), inorganic geochemical (major oxides, trace elements TEs, and rare earth elements REEs), and Rock-Eval pyrolysis analyses of the black shale samples, collected from the Gunung Semanggol, Bukit Merah, and Nami areas in northwestern Peninsular Malaysia. The primary focus of this study is to investigate the provenance, paleoredox conditions, paleoclimate, sedimentary rate, paleoproductivity, and upwelling system that would be helpful to understanding the role of these parameters in the enrichment of organic matter (OM) in the black shale. The Rock-Eval analysis shows that the black shale of the Semanggol Formation comprises type-III kerogens, which suggests organic input from a terrestrial source. The black shale also contains mature to postmature organic matter. Based on the mineralogical analysis, the mineral composition of the black shale comprises illite and kaolinite, with abundant traces of quartz and feldspar as well as few traces of titanium and zircon. Inorganic geochemical data designate black shale deposition in a passive margin setting that has experienced moderate to strong weathering, semi-arid to hot arid climate, and moderate sedimentation rate. Ratios of Ni/Co, U/Th, and V/(V+Ni) along with slightly negative to positive Ce* anomalies and UEF-MoEF cross-plot unanimously indicate anoxic/dysoxic water conditions that are suitable for organic matter preservation. Geochemical proxies related to modern upwelling settings (i.e., Cd/Mo, Co vs. Mn) show that the deep marine black shale was strongly influenced by persistent upwelling, a first-order controlling factor for organic matter enrichment in the distal part (outer fan of the submarine fan system) of the Semanggol Basin. However, productivity-controlled upwelling and a high sedimentary rate, as well as high-productivity in oxygen-depleted settings without strong anoxic conditions, has played an essential role in the accumulation of organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]