Minerals radiometric sorting

Because the basis for mineral beneficiation is the physical separation of particles of different mineralogical composition, the success of such a particle separation as a means of separating one type of mineral from another depends on two prerequisites  

The most fundamental prerequisite is that the mineral to be beneficiated should, for the most part, be physically disengaged or liberated from the gangue, and 

There should be sufficient differences in the physical properties of particles of different mineralogical compositions at the attained degree of liberation. 

Provided that the physical properties of the minerals contained in the particulate ore are significantly different, the particles of distinct mineralogical compositions can be separated physically to achieve a mineral separation. Particles that consist predominantly of valuable mineral(s) will report to the concentrate under the influence of the exploited physical force, but will dilute 

The modern automated sorters (Fig. 8.1) are machines which examine feed lumps on an individual basis, compare the measured properties of each lump with predetermined criteria, and then separate the lumps, using an applied force, into different products according to the measured properties. A sorter treating -120 + 60 mm material typically treats 85-100 t/h and a imit treating -60 + 30 mm material - 30-40 t/h. Ore types treated by sorters aroimd the world include different types of rocks (Mokrousov and Lileev 1979 Salter and Wyatt 1991 Cutmore and Eberhard 2001). These sorters were installed for one of the following duties pre-concentration of plant feed, intermediate product production, finished product production. The main benefits are as follows  

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Minerals Radiometric Sorting and Online Process Control. 499... 

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