Question

Which of the following ores can be concentrated by magnetic separation?

• A.
  Pyrolusite (${\mathrm{MnO}}_2$)
• B.
  Cassiterite (${\mathrm{SnO}}_2$)
  
• C.
  Chromite (${\mathrm{FeCr}}_2{O}_4$)
  

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

Chromite (${\mathrm{FeCr}}_2{O}_4$)

• Magnetic separation is widely used for ferromagnetic materials. Those substances consist of iron in their composition.
• Chromite has iron in its composition so the gangue present in it can be separated by magnetic separation.
• Pyrolusite doesn’t have magnetic properties so this cannot be separated by this method.
• Cassiterite, also commonly called tin stone, is an ore of tin known as tin oxide with the chemical formula. It contains magnetic impurities of tungstates of iron and manganese and the combination is called wolframite.