MINERAL PROCESSING METHODS: REVIEW AND FORECAST.

Technology in mining and minerals processing is advancing, especially in meeting the challenges of costly energy and environmental protection. More efficient, even spectacularly new, methods are being developed. The technological survey is presented under headings - gravity separation becomes fashionable; gravity separation by sedimentation; low-intensity magnetic separation; wet high-intensity magnetic separation; selective flocculation-flotation; history of the Tilden process; capital and operating costs; thickeners, clarifiers and settlers; bubble separation methods; comparison of flotation with sedimentation; and floating bad from good iron minerals.