Distribution, Separation and Characterisation of Valuable Heavy Minerals from the Brahmaputra River Basin, Kurigram District, Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s heavy minerals deposits in river systems remain largely unexplored with past research restricted to beach placer along the south-eastern coastline of country. In this study, 64 samples were collected from stable sand bars northern Brahmaputra River. The average total (THM) all sample sites was 10.73 wt%, THM concentrations generally highest at outermost edges and lowest within mid-channel regions. There no variation content north (upstream) south (downstream). Valuable (VHMs) magnetite, ilmenite, garnet zircon made up around 25–30 wt% content, other including amphibole, pyroxene, kyanite, sillimanite, monazite, apatite xenotime making remaining 70–75 wt%. A VHM distribution map showed that upstream division studied area appeared be most prospective for valuable minerals. bench scale mineral sands beneficiation flowsheet involving unit processes employing gravity, magnetic electrostatic properties designed based on a detailed characterisation phase analysis resulting fractions, it determined VHMs ~2 material recovered. Of these, ilmenite bulk levels 0.88 0.51 respectively, recoveries >83%. Characterisation concentrates further refinement processing conditions is required generate are potentially suitable commercial applications.