Mineral Separation Screening Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary grinding medium used in an autogenous mill (AG)?

Aluminum rods

Water

Ore (correct)

Steel balls

Which type of mill utilizes both ore and added grinding mediums?

Ball mill

Rod mill

Semi Autogenous mill (correct)

Autogenous mill

Which method uses centrifugal force, differential settling, and heavy particle migration for separation?

Spiral concentrators (correct)

Dense medium separation

Jigging

Shaking tables

What is the main purpose of screening in mineral processing?

To mechanically separate particles according to size Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the shaking tables in gravity separation processes?

They rely on water flow perpendicular to the table motion. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of screening mechanism is specifically designed for rough screening of coarse materials?

Grizzly Signup and view all the answers

Which separation method does NOT change the chemical nature of the minerals?

Magnetic separation Signup and view all the answers

What happens to undersized material in a revolving screen (trommel)?

It falls through the screening surface Signup and view all the answers

In jigging separation, what happens to denser particles within the machine?

They trickle down faster and are removed from the unit. Signup and view all the answers

What does physical separation NOT depend on?

Chemical properties of minerals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of screening mechanism?

Hammer mills Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is specifically designed for fine material selection through gravity?

Shaking tables Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the functionality of screening?

It allows undersized material to bypass grinding circuits Signup and view all the answers

Which separation method utilizes dense medium cyclones?

Gravity separation Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the goals of screening in relation to product specifications?

To ensure particles meet specific size requirements for the market Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential feature of a spiral concentrator?

It utilizes centrifugal force. Signup and view all the answers

What principle does Dense Medium Separation (DMS) rely on for separating minerals?

Differences in specific gravity of the valuable mineral and gangue Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the function of a magnetic roller in magnetic separation?

To separate magnetic minerals from non-magnetic minerals Signup and view all the answers

What is the main mechanism used in High Tension (HT) Separation?

Forces acting on charged or polarized bodies in an electric field Signup and view all the answers

Which separation method is primarily associated with high temperature processing?

Pyrometallurgy Signup and view all the answers

What does hydrometallurgy refer to in mineral processing?

The use of aqueous solutions for processing minerals Signup and view all the answers

Which process is categorized under electrometallurgy?

Electro winning Signup and view all the answers

What does particle size analysis typically evaluate in mineral processing?

The size distribution of particles within an ore Signup and view all the answers

Crushing techniques primarily aim to achieve which of the following?

Reduce the particle size of minerals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Screening

Types of screening:
- Grizzly: Coarse materials
- Revolving screens: Undersized material falls through the screen, oversize is conveyed by the motion
- Moving screens: vibrating screens and gyratory screens

Separation

Physical separation: separates based on mineral properties.
- Gravity separation:
- Spirals: Uses centrifugal force, settling, and heavy particle migration.
- Shaking tables: Water is added perpendicular to the table's motion, the heaviest particles move to the far end.
- Jigging: Jigging action causes denser particles to trickle down faster.
- Dense Medium Separation (DMS): Separates based on specific gravity.
- Magnetic separation: Uses magnetic susceptibility differences.
  - WHIMS (Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separators) separates magnetic from non-magnetic minerals.
- Electrostatic separation: Utilizes charged or polarized bodies in an electric field.
  - High Tension (HT) separation adjusts electric and coacting forces.

Comminution (Grinding/Milling)

Autogenous Mill (AG): Employs ore as a grinding medium.
Semi Autogenous Mill (SAG): Employs steel balls and aluminium rods.

Other Separation Systems

Pyrometallurgy: High temperature processing, examples are smelting, converting and roasting
Hydrometallurgy: Aqueous solution processing, examples are leaching, digestion, solvent extraction and precipitation.
Electrometallurgy: Uses electrical power to recover and refine metal. Examples include electro-winning and electro-refining.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various screening and separation techniques used in mineral processing. This quiz covers topics such as gravity separation, magnetic separation, and the different types of screens employed in the industry. Gain insights into physical separation methods and their applications in mineral extraction.