Separation forms an integral part of minerals processing. Normally, the physical or chemical properties of a mineral are used in the separation process, of which the principal methods to concentrate ores are:
Separation by using optical or radioactive characteristics of the ore typically referred to as sorting;
Separation of the mineral from waste because of differences in relative densities. Processes typically use the relative buoyancy of a mineral in a fluid, such as in jigging and dense media separation systems.
Separation because of differences in surface properties of minerals – such as with flotation methods or flocculants;
Separation because of magnetic properties of materials, an example being Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation.
