Abstract: In an iron ore pelletization process in which particulate ore is mixed with particulate polymeric binder in the presence of moisture and the mixture is pelletised, the particulate binder is a blend of ionic synthetic water soluble polymer, such as a copolymer of acrylamide and sodium acrylate having intrinsic viscosity 2 to 16 dl/g, with a larger amount of a guar gum.

Abstract: Particulate ore is pelletized by forming an intimate mixture with particulate binder in the presence of moisture, forming green pellets by agitation of the mixture and then firing these to produce ore pellets and the particulate binder comprises particles of a water soluble, partly cross-linked, polymer formed from water soluble, ionic, ethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomer blend, wherein the extent of cross-linking is insufficient to render the particles predominantly water insoluble but is sufficient to increase the dry strength of the ore pellets.

Abstract: Pellets of iron ore or other water insoluble particulate material are made from a mixture of the particulate material, moisture and a pelletizing binder by forming moist green pellets, a water displacing additive is applied to the surface of these pellets after they are substantially wholly formed, and the pellets are then dried. The preferred water displacing additive is a solution of a silicone in an organic solvent.

Abstract: Particulate material such as iron ore is agglomerated into pellets or other agglomerates by being homogeneously mixed in the presence of moisture with a binder followed by agglomeration of the moist mixture, and the binder comprises a water soluble anionic polymer having intrinsic viscosity of from about 2 to about 7 dl/g and containing 5 to about 20% by weight carboxylic monomer groups (measured as sodium salt). The preferred polymer of is the copolymer of acrylamide and 5 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15%, sodium acrylate. The binder may also comprise bentonite.

Abstract: Iron ore particles or other water insoluble non-swellable particulate material is converted into pellets or other agglomerates by mixing with substantially dry binder in the presence of moisture and is then bonded into agglomerates. The binder comprises substantially dry bentonite and particulate polymeric material, and the bentonite is blended with the insoluble particulate material and moisture before addition of the polymeric material.

Abstract: Finely divided mineral ore is pelletized using a soluble synthetic polymer. Preferably the polymer is in the form of beads made by reverse phase polymerization and all having a size of below 300 .mu.m. When the ore gives a pH in water of below 8 the soluble polymer is preferably cationic.

Abstract: Finely particulate iron ore is pelletized using finely particulate, free flowing, anionic water soluble synthetic polymer having intrinsic viscosity of from 3 to 16 as binder.