Question

What is concentration of ore? Give the method of concentrating sulphide containing ore and describe it with figure.

Answer 1

Concentration of ore the process of removal of gangue from the ore.
Concentration of sulphide ore is done with froth floatation process.
Metallic sulphide particles of ore are preferentially wetted by oil and the gangue particles by water.
Finely divided ore is added to large amount of water stored in tank. Certain oils like pine oil, xanthates etc. are added. Compressed air is passed through water in floatation tank. THe metallic ore particles are preferentially wetted by the oil and rise to the surface along with froth. The gangue material is wetted by water and settles at bottom.