Tutorial

Minerals Processing

1. Define the following terms:

Mineral

Mineral deposit

Ore

Gangue mineral

Complex ore

Ore grade

2. Who is responsible for the establishment and implementation of minerals and energy policy and for
oversight of our country’s mineral industry? Expand on the different branches in this department and
what they are responsible for.

3. Give the chemical formula for the following Mineral name and the corresponding metal(s) that can be
extracted from these minerals

Mineral Name Mineral Name Mineral Name

Bauxite Pentlandite Hematite

Chromite Sphalerite Magnetite

Chalcocite Chemical Formula of Mineral Dolomite

Covellite Cerussite Anthophyllite

Chalcopyrite Galena Pyrite

4. The following chemical formula represents some of the general minerals found. Give the general
mineral name for each formula and the corresponding metal(s) that can be extracted from these
minerals.
 Mineral Formula Mineral Formula Mineral formula

Al O .2H O FeS Fe O
2 3 2 2 2 3

FeCr O PbCO Fe O
2 4 3 3 4

Cu S PbS (NiFe) S
2 9 8

CuS (Mg.Fe)SiO ZnS

3

CuFeS MgCO .CaCo

2 3 3

5. Explain how colored gold is formed. How is white gold formed?

6. Explain what is meant by 24K, 22K,18K and 9K gold?(K = karat)

7. What is the aim of minerals processing?

8. Explain in your own words what the word “liberation” and “concentrate” means as it is used in the
context of minerals processing.

9. What is the purpose of the comminution step in minerals processing? Give two types of
comminution processes?

10. Name three coarse crushers.

11. If a product with an average particle size of 2 mm is needed, name three crushers that will give
this particle size.
12. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both dry and wet grinding?

13. What is the purpose of the separation process in minerals processing?

14. Identify four types of separation processes used in the minerals processing industry. Expand on
the physical properties that are used to achieve the separation and concentration of the valuable
minerals ?

15. Explain the three “laws” of classification in your own words.

16. When discussing free and hindered settling, three equations were given. Clearly list under which
conditions each should be used.

17. What are the forces acting on a particle during free settling?

18. How is separation achieved in a sorting column?

19. In froth flotation the surface tension of particles are changed. Explain this process, with the aid of
a schematic diagram, the three phases involved and how the surface tension of particles is changed to
achieve separation.
20. What is the value of knowing the contact angle between a particle surface and an liquid bubble?
Draw a sketch in which you clearly illustrate what a contact angle is and explain how this concept is used
in the context of froth flotation.

21. What are the three methods of dewatering?

22. Explain how flocculants work, when used for sedimentation in dewaterting.

23. Would the following situations increase or decrease the rate of filtration?

a) Low pressure drop across the filter medium.

b) Small filter surface area.

24. What would the water from a mineral-processing plant contain? How do you think that this material
can be removed from the water so that the water can be re-used at the mineral processing plant?