subject: What Are the Steps Performed at Mineral Processing Plant? [print this page] Different ores contain more than one mineral so mineral processing involves extraction as well as separation of minerals obtained. The physical properties of different minerals are exploited to separate two or more minerals extracted from an ore.
Chromite, gypsum, hematite, limestone, dolomite and many other ores are processed to obtain minerals like iron, copper, chromium, magnesium and so on. Here is a discussion about mineral processing steps and mineral processing equipment used at a mineral processing plant.
Liberation or Comminution
The first step of mineral processing is to reduce the size of the ore by the process called comminution. Crushing and grinding are two main techniques followed in this step. The engineered mineral processing equipment used for crushing includes vibrating screen, screening plants, jaw crusher, gyratory crusher, cone crusher, vibro feeder, impact crusher or a roll crusher. For grinding, various grinding mills like autogenous, semi-autogenous mills, pebbled mills and others are used.
Size Separation
The second step performed at a mineral processing plant is called size separation which involves separation of different crushed and grinded particles on the basis of their size. The two important techniques followed in this step are screening and classification.
Screening makes use of screens with apertures that allow the fine particles to get separated from the waste. Grizzlies are the common screening equipments used. Besides, trommels or revolving screens and vibrating screens too are used for the same purpose.
Classification makes use of different densities of the particles to separate them by allowing them to settle down in fluid containing tanks at different speeds. Spiral classifiers are the best mineral processing equipment used in this step. Besides, there are hydraulic classifiers that too are used for this purpose.
Concentration
The difference in physical and chemical properties of different particles forms the basis of concentration techniques to separate them. The main techniques used in this step are sorting, gravity separation, forth flotation and magnetic separation.
Sorting is done to separate the particles on the basis of their color, appearance and other physical properties. Gravity separation uses the difference in the values of specific gravity to separate different minerals at a mineral processing plant. Magnetic separation makes use of the magnetic properties of the minerals and froth flotation is based on the surface chemistry properties of the minerals to float in a fluid. The mineral processing equipment used for concentration includes reichert cones, spiral concentrators, jigs and flotation cells.
As you can see, the engineered mineral processing equipment plays an important role in mineral processing. If you are starting a mineral processing business, make sure that you buy these equipments with care.
What Are the Steps Performed at Mineral Processing Plant?
