Preconcentration Applications for Sensor Based Sorting and Dense Medium Separation

Solution Exchange Webinars present Identification and Evaluation of Preconcentration Applications for Sensor-Based Sorting and Dense Medium Separation Preconcentration involves enhancing the grade, value and economic potential of ore before primary recovery and concentration operations. The primary objective of preconcentration is to eliminate low-value waste early in the process, minimizing downstream energy, material and footprint usage. Physical processes like gravity separation, sensor-based ore sorting, magnetic separation and flotation are commonly employed for preconcentration. The efficacy of preconcentration technology hinges on the ore properties in a given application. Tailoring the technology to these specific characteristics is essential for achieving optimal results. Implementing preconcentration at the start of a process, especially with larger particle sizes, amplifies its advantages. For this reason, coarse sensor-based sorting has seen a significant increase in popularity over the last decade. For preconcentration to be theoretically viable, there must be sufficient liberation, leading to a heterogeneous distribution of valuable minerals within both product and waste particles. This distribution of particles must create a contrast that is identifiable and exploitable by a given technology. Gravity separation using dense medium separation and sensor-based particle sorting using X-ray transmission are common technologies used for preconcentration and are viable for a wide variety of applications. For the purposes of this presentation, they will be used as examples and discussed. Dense medium separation and sensor-based sorting can be broken down into theoretical separation and separation efficiency. Theoretical separation is defined as the performance that is possible under ideal circumstances. Separation efficiency is the difference between that theoretical separation and the realized performance. Separation efficiency is caused by deficiencies from process conditions and technological limitations. This presentation will explore how to identify potential preconcentration technologies and how to evaluate the viability of their use.