Beneficiation

In the mining industry beneficiation or benefication in extractive metallurgy, is any process that improves (benefits) the economic value of the ore by removing the gangue minerals, which results in a higher grade product (concentrate) and a waste stream (tailings). Exemplary beneficiation processes are froth flotation^[1] and gravity separation.

Other economic uses of the term are in use. For example, in the diamond industry, the beneficiation imperative argues that cutting and polishing (processes within the diamond value chain) should be conducted in-country to maximise the local economic contribution.^[2]

See also

• Coal preparation plant
• taconite

References

Further reading

Look up beneficiation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Carter, C. Barry; M. Grant Norton (2007). "Beneficiation". Ceramic materials: science and engineering. Berlin: Springer. p. 347. ISBN 0-387-46270-8. OCLC 77012326. Retrieved 15 May 2009. 
• Smith, Mick R.; L. Collis; P. G. Fookes (2001). "Beneficiation". Aggregates: Sand, Gravel and Crushed Rock Aggregates for Construction Purposes. London: Geological Society. pp. 124–129. ISBN 1-86239-079-7. OCLC 46600322. Retrieved 15 May 2009. 
• Baartjes, N. L. (2007). "Diamonder Beneficiation: Structural Impediments And How To Unblock These In South Africa" (PDF). Diamonds Source to Use 2007. The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Retrieved 15 May 2009. 
• Suptelya, V. V.; S. A. Martynov; V. P. Butuzov; V. A. Khvan (July 1977). "Beneficiation of synthetic diamonds by ultrasound". Journal of Mining Science. 13 (4): 439–441. doi:10.1007/BF02498516.