Magnetic spirals: an innovative approach for enhancing the separation of ferro- and para-magnetic particles

ABSTRACT Spirals are one of the most widely used beneficiation equipment in mineral processing industry. The prerequisite to improve spirals' performance is to understand the forces that affect valuable and gangue minerals' separation. This paper investigates how magnetic properties of particles can be used to achieve a sharper separation of magnetic and non-magnetic particles in spirals. To this end, separation behavior of a synthetic mixed magnetite and quartz particles in the presence and absence of magnetic field was investigated via analyzing variations in the forces that affect particles’ separation in a spiral. Changes in Zero force line were considered as the reference point in the studies. In this regard an innovative magnetic-spiral was designed and fabricated. A magnetic force was added to separation process of the selected spiral. This, increased fine particles grade and recovery up to 8.5% and 7.5% respectively.