HOW TO CHOOSE A METHOD FOR THE SEPARATION OF MINERALS

 

There are many methods of separation (concentration) of minerals:

1) Gravity separation. There are more than 12 types of gravity separation of minerals. It is used for the extraction of gold, coal, cassiterite, wolframite, rare earth mineral, niobium, zirconium, uranium minerals , and others. Read more 

2) Magnetic separation. There are more than 14 types of magnetic separation of minerals. It is used for the extraction of magnetite, hematite, ilmenite, rare earth mineral, and other. Read more

3) Electrical separation. There are 6 types of electrical separation of minerals. It is used to separate native metals, graphite, tungsten, spodumene, rutile, hematite, diamond, quartz, rare earth mineral, uranium minerals, and others. Read more

4) Flotation separation. There are more than 20 types of mineral flotation. Universal separation method, because by using flotation can be separated almost all minerals. It is used for all types of ores and minerals (chalcopyrite, molybdenite, galena, sphalerite, gold, talc, mica, carbon, rare earth mineral, uranium minerals, and others). Read more

5) Special methods of separation. There are more than 15 types. It is used for separating rare earth mineral, uranium minerals, coal and others. Read more

6) Chemical separation (leaching). There are 7 types of leaching of minerals. It is used for the extraction of Au, Cu, rare earth mineral, uranium minerals et al. Read more

7) Combined separation. There are more than 30 types. Read more...
 
8) Pretreatment. There are more than 10 types.    Read more...

Each of the separation methods has its advantages and disadvantages, use restrictions.
Selection and calculation methods of enrichment originally produced theoretically on the basis of geology data (link). Taking into account the physical and chemical properties of precious minerals and also rock minerals too. To confirm the hypothesis need make laboratory tests (just 5-10 experiments). When choosing traditional methods of separation, must to base on the fact that all the minerals can be separately from each other.

With using traditional methods of the mineral separation, typically ore rises to the surface for further processing. In this case, can use any method of separation, or a combination thereof to produce the expected results at any stage of the project readiness. There is the possibility of changes in processing technology and equipment.
When using the underground leaching method, you can make changes only at the design stage. In this case, change the method of separation or technology at the finished plant cannot be made.

Chemical processing (leaching) requires a large consumption of the leaching reagents. Therefore the leaching is considerably more expensive than traditional methods of ore processing (ore enrichment). The using of traditional ore enrichment before leaching dramatically reduces the cost of leaching.

© Ph.D. Natalia Petrovskaya

February 1, 2016  

nataliapetrovsky@gmail.com

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