How to choose suitable mineral concentration equipment according to ore properties

Mineral concentration equipment plays a key role in the mineral processing process. Choosing the right concentration equipment not only improves mineral recovery but also effectively reduces energy consumption and operating costs.

Ore Physical Properties and Equipment Selection

Ore physical properties primarily include particle size, specific gravity, magnetic properties, hardness, and particle morphology. These characteristics directly impact the efficiency of concentration equipment and the results of mineral processing.

Particle Size

Ore particle size is the fundamental basis for selecting concentration equipment. Coarse-grained ores are well-suited for gravity separation equipment, such as jigs and spiral chutes, which utilize differences in specific gravity to separate minerals. Fine-grained ores are more suitable for flotation equipment, which utilizes differences in surface chemical properties to achieve separation. Ultrafine ores often require centrifugal concentration equipment to enhance the gravity effect for mineral separation.

Specific Gravity Difference

The greater the difference in specific gravity between the mineral and its associated minerals, the more suitable the gravity separation method is. Ores with large specific gravity differences can be efficiently separated using equipment such as jigs and shaking tables. If the specific gravity difference is small, magnetic separation or flotation equipment is required to achieve separation by exploiting magnetic properties or surface chemical differences.

Mineral Magnetism
When ore contains magnetic minerals, magnetic separation equipment is the preferred choice. Strongly magnetic minerals such as magnetite and ilmenite can be recovered using high-intensity magnetic separation equipment. Weakly magnetic minerals require adjustment of the magnetic field strength or additional processing with other concentration equipment.

Ore Hardness and Wear

Hard ores place high demands on equipment wear resistance. Concentration equipment such as jigs and spiral chutes should be constructed of wear-resistant materials to extend equipment life. Flotation equipment should be selected based on the particle size characteristics of the ore after grinding to avoid excessive wear.

Ore Chemical Properties and Reagent Selection

Ore chemical properties influence the reagents used and equipment selection during the concentration process.

Surface Chemical Properties

Flotation equipment is sensitive to the surface chemical properties of the mineral. Distinguishing between hydrophilic and hydrophobic minerals depends on adjusting the flotation reagent ratio. Different ores require the use of appropriate collectors, frothers, and conditioning agents to ensure that the minerals adhere to the bubbles for separation. Chemical Bonding State between Minerals
When complex mineral compositions, such as sulfide and oxide ores, coexist, a single concentrator cannot meet the separation requirements. A multi-stage process is often used, such as magnetic separation to remove magnetic minerals followed by flotation to extract valuable components, to maximize resource utilization.

Ore Mineral Composition and Concentration Process Design
The diversity of mineral compositions within an ore determines the complexity of the concentration process and the equipment configuration.

Single Mineral Ores
For ores with a single, concentrated mineral type and high purity, the beneficiation process is relatively simple. Gravity separation or magnetic separation equipment can achieve good recovery rates, offering flexible equipment selection and low investment costs.

Multi-Mineral Ores
Complex ores with multiple mineral compositions require the combined use of multiple equipment. For example, when iron and copper minerals coexist, the iron ore is first separated by magnetic separation, followed by flotation to extract the copper. Equipment selection must take into account the physical and chemical properties of the different minerals to ensure a continuous and efficient separation process.

Influence of Associated Minerals
Complex associated minerals may affect the separation accuracy of the concentrator. Comprehensive technical approaches are required, such as combining magnetic separation, gravity separation, and flotation, or even using new centrifugal concentrators to achieve multi-stage separation.

Other Ore Properties Affecting Equipment Selection
Slurry concentration, moisture content, and impurities in the ore also affect equipment performance.
Slurry Concentration
Excessively high slurry concentration can easily lead to equipment blockage and reduce separation efficiency. Flotation equipment has strict requirements for slurry concentration, typically maintaining it within a certain range to ensure stable bubble formation. Gravity separation equipment is more adaptable to slurry concentration, but it also requires proper regulation.
Moisture Content
Slurries with high moisture content increase equipment load, necessitating the configuration of a rational feeding and discharge system to ensure smooth operation of the concentration equipment. Some equipment is equipped with dewatering devices to improve mineral recovery.
Impurity Composition
High impurity content in the ore can interfere with the separation efficiency of the equipment. Reducing the impact of impurities through pretreatment, such as crushing, grinding, and reagent control, is a key step in equipment selection and operational adjustments.