Mineral dense media separation

Dense medium separation can only be carried out with coarsely intergrown minerals. It has found only limited industrial application (Canada). Salt solutions containing ferrosilicon serve as the gravitational liquids. 

Density (gravity) separation Separation methods based on differences in density of separated minerals, such as dense-medium separation and jigging. 

After Laskowski, T. (1958). Dense Medium Separation of Minerals, Wyd. Gom. Hutnicze, Katowice. Polish text. 

Hee, Y.B. and Laskowski, J.S. 1994. Effect of dense medium properties on the separation performance of a dense medium cyclone. Minerals Engineering (United Kingdom), 7(2/3) 209-221. 

Another separation device that may be used is the mineral jig. This unit produces a loose vibrating bed of particles in a Hquid medium. The vibrations segregate the soHds into layers of density. The dense nonferrous metals, primarily lead, 2inc, and copper are at the bottom while organics are at the top. The middle layer is primarily glass. 

Solids of different densities can be separated by immersing them in a fluid of intermediate density. The heavier solids sink to the bottom and the lighter float to the surface. Water suspensions of fine particles are often used as the dense liquid (heavy-medium). The technique is used extensively for the benefication (concentration) of mineral ores. 

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