Which process is used for enrichment of sulphide ores and oxide ores?
Enrichment of sulphide ores-
Froth floatation process-
Froth-Floatation method is used for concentration of Sulphide ores. In this method, gangue is removed from the ore, by wetting the ore with oil and gangue with water. So, that ore particles float above water. Then the mineral particles are separated once they form froth, leaving behind the gangue.
Enrichment of oxide ores-
Oxide ores like iron oxide ore (FeO.Cr2O3 : chromite ore), manganese oxide ore (MnO2 : pyrolusite) are enriched by magnetic separation. It is based on the difference in magnetic properties of the ore componenets. If either ore or the gangue (one of these two) is attracted by a magnet then ore can be separated from the impurities with the help of this method.
Froth floatation process-
Froth-Floatation method is used for concentration of Sulphide ores. In this method, gangue is removed from the ore, by wetting the ore with oil and gangue with water. So, that ore particles float above water. Then the mineral particles are separated once they form froth, leaving behind the gangue.
Enrichment of oxide ores-
Oxide ores like iron oxide ore (FeO.Cr2O3 : chromite ore), manganese oxide ore (MnO2 : pyrolusite) are enriched by magnetic separation. It is based on the difference in magnetic properties of the ore componenets. If either ore or the gangue (one of these two) is attracted by a magnet then ore can be separated from the impurities with the help of this method.