Physical Processing

Quiz 1: Name the techniques that utilizes the following physical properties and provide examples.

1. Colour and Radioactivity

i. Colour; separation of minerals utilizing their colour is done through Ore sorting.
Previously it is done manually where a trained specialist checks and removes
valuable minerals from the gangue through visual inspection of the colour. Modern
day methods may include special light sources such as lasers and XRF or XRD to
detect minerals and separate them.

ii. Radioactivity; separation of minerals utilizes the radioactive property is done

through Ore sorting. Where by a Gieger counter is used to detect the radiation given
off by the radioactive mineral. Once the counter identifies the radioactive mineral, it
then is separated from the gangue. The process is done automated with a
singulation unit, detection centre and an ejection unit for the concentrate and the
tails.

2. Size/Shape

Mineral particle sizes and shape after crushing and grinding vary from very large to very fine
and separation is necessary for the comminution process. Technique of separation involves
screening and classification.

Screening is the process of separating solids into two or more products on basis of their size.
The objective of screening is size control. Screening employs sieve screens with different size
apertures for particles separation and they are stacked in the order of decreasing aperture
size in order for distribution of size fractions. Example of Screens include;

a. Vibrating Screen
b. Sieve screens

Classification is a method of separating mixtures of minerals into two or more products on

the basis of the velocity with which the grains fall through a fluid medium. Classification
employs the use of classiers such as the Hydrocyclone which uses centrifugal force created
in the hydrocyclone and separates particles based on their size, shape and specific gravity.
Other classifiers include;
i. Hydraulic classifiers
ii. Settling cone
iii. Mechanical classifiers

3. Density

All minerals have different densities therefore they can be separated by utilizing this physical
property. Minerals can be separated using Gravity concentration or separation which uses
specific gravity of minerals when settling against hindered conditions of a fluid medium such
 as water. Gravity concentration is feasible if the concentration criterion is greater than or
equal to 2.5. Where Concentration criterion (cc);

=

Where; = sg of heavier mineral
= sg of lighter mineral
= sg of fluid medium

Separation is done when the heavier minerals settle while lighter minerals overflow.
Types of Gravity concentrators or separators include;
a. Jigs concentrators
b. Shaking tables Sluice box
c. Tilling pan
d. Centrifugal concentrators (ie. Knelson and Falcon concentrators)

4. Electrical Conductivity

Some minerals have electric conductive properties. These minerals are separated using
Electrostatic separation. Electrical separation utilises the difference in electrical conductivity
between the various minerals in the ore feed.

Basically electrostatic separation uses the conductive property of the minerals by charging
the atmosphere within the separator with an Electrode where by the charged minerals will
be attracted to the oppositely charged Terminal which causes a change in the movement or
trajectory of the conductive minerals from the non-conductive minerals to effect separation.

5. Magnetic Property

Minerals can be classified into 3 groups depending on their magnetic properties and they
include;
a. Diamagnetic minerals non-magnetic minerals
b. Paramagnetic minerals low magnetic minerals eg. Hematite
c. Ferromagnetic minerals highly magnetic minerals eg. Magnetite

Magnetic separation is basically used to separate these minerals. It utilizes the magnetic
property of the mineral, co-acting with another force such as gravity to produce differential
movements/trajectory of mineral grains when passed through a magnetic field. Magnetic
separation can be done both wet and dry.

Magnetic separators can be classified into;

i. Low intensity Separators for ferromagnetic and highly paramagnetic minerals

ii. High intensity separators for paramagnetic minerals

Examples of Magnetic separators are;

a. Magnetic Drum separator
b. Disc magnet separator
c. Cross belt magnetic separator