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INTRODUCTION TO MINERAL
PROCESSING
By:
Dr. Muhammad Raheel Bawani
Batch 20MN
01-08-2022
Department of Mining Engineering, MUET.
Course Learning Outcomes
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Taxonom Linking to
CLO No. Description
y Level PLOs
Describe basic mineral processing concepts and
CLO-1 explain various mineral processing operations C2 PLO-1
Classify communition, sizing and classification
equipments used for mineral processing and explain
CLO-2 C3 PLO-1
various gravity concentrations methods
Recognize different laboratory equipments pertaining
to mineral processing and performs laboratory size
CLO-3 reduction and screening operations P3 PLO-4
Introduction
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Minerals are natural inorganic substances possessing
definite chemical composition and atomic structures.
“Mineral” is often used in a much more extended sense
to include anything of economic value, which is
extracted from earth crust.
Many mineral Exhibits;
1. Isomorphism;
e.g Olivine(Mg,Fe)2SiO4
2. Polymorphisim;
e.g Diamond & graphite(C);
Introduction
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S/no. ORE Chemical Formula Metal Kind of Ore
01 Hematite Fe2O3 Fe Oxide
02 Magnetite Fe3O4 Fe Oxide
03 Zincite ZnO Zn Oxide
04 Cuprite Cu2O Cu Oxide
05 Bauxite Al2O3.2H2O Al Oxide
06 Copper Pyrite CuFeS2 Cu Sulphide
07 Galena PbS Pb Sulphide
08 Sphalerite ZnS Zn Sulphide
Introduction
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The safe, economical and efficient separation of
minerals from their respective ores (or from run-of-mine)
by means of physical/chemical separation methods,
called “Mineral Processing” Or “Ore Dressing”.
The purpose of mineral processing is to turn the raw ore
from the mine into a marketable product.
In many cases the Physical separation is the ultimate
method for separation rather than chemical separation.
Introduction
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Steps involving in Mineral Processing;
1. Characterization.
2. Liberation.
3. Separation and Extraction.
4. Disposition.
Steps in Mineral Processing
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Characterization:
It involves the identification of;
1. Determination of Physical and Optical properties,
(Stereomicroscope and Optical microscope)
2. Petrographic investigation,(Scanning Electron
microscope with EDS)
3. Elemental Analysis, (XRF and Atomic Absorption)
4. Qualitative and quantitation analysis. (XRD)
Steps in Mineral Processing
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Stereomicroscope image Scanning Electron microscope image
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01
Grai Elements (%)
n# O Al Si Fe Ca Ti Zr Mg Mn
1 43.65 7.84 22.3 15.68 7.91 0.53 1.15 0.93 0.0
Actual image
2 43.75 2.75 25.59 16.94 5.45 0.33 0.66 2.55 1.98
Steps in Mineral Processing
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Liberation: It involves the communition process (Crushing
and Grinding).
Crushers handle particles larger than 1mm diameter.
Grinders handle particles smaller than 1 mm diameter.
Steps in Mineral Processing
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Separation and Extraction: It involves the methods depend
upon Physical and chemical properties of minerals or Ore. Size
separation (by means of screening or sieving) should be done
before adopting the following separation methods.
PHYSICAL METHODS CHEMICAL METHODS
Hand or Mechanical Sorting Smelting
Gravity Separation methods Roasting
Dense Medium separation Leaching
Flotation methods
Magnetic Separation
High Tension Separations
Steps in Mineral Processing
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Steps in Mineral Processing
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Steps in Mineral Processing
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Disposition: Disposition is the final step of mineral
processing. It involves the removal of waste in an
environmental acceptable manner and the sale of
the product.
