High gradient magnetic separation applied to mineral beneficiation

A magnetic separator featuring high magnetic field values, high field gradients, and large flow capacity has been applied to problems in mineral beneficiation. The major effort has been spent on taconite iron ores. The background of this ore beneficiation problem is discussed along with a discussion of the prior art of magnetic separation. In cooperation with industry and mining companies, oxidized and semitaconite ores have been separated and the characteristics of the process studied. Recovery as a function of magnetic field and grade versus flow rate plots are shown as well as some typical grade-recovery curves. The ability of the separator to treat very small particles of "nonmagnetic" minerals is discussed.