In the mining industry there are two very important events which can greatly assist in the extraction as well as the beneficiation of minerals of immense value. While many a time they may sound similar, they depict what seems to be different phases of getting hold of minerals from the natural environment. Understanding what has been discussed above about the differences between both of them and their importance, mining firms can then focus on those areas and attempt to cut out inefficiency that could lead to wastage. Here the author discusses the importance of delineation between the terms – mineral processing and beneficiation and why these are important to the mining business. Thus the target group includes B2B customers in the mining sector including those that deal with equipment and manufacturers.
What is Mineral Processing
Mineral benefiiation refers to the process of extraction of valuable minerals from the ore bearing minerals followed by treating the mined ore through further process. Some of its major techniques contain crushing, grinding and separation of the mineral bearing material from the waste products which are referred to as the gangue. Its main function is to reduce the size of the mined material to make it go through additional processing and or beneficiation.
Some of the machines include crushers such as the jaw crushers and these are used in the mineral processing through the reduction of large size rocks to smaller sizes which makes the procedures easier. These are some of the benefits of size reduction in respect to the enhancement of grinding and in facilitating a subsequent separation of the product.
To equipment supply companies, particularly a crusher manufacturer This phase is very demanding because it deals with different types of ores and materials which require efficient and durable equipment.
What is Benefaction
Benefaction which is also referred to as beneficiation is the next process to mineral processing. In contrast to mineral processing that entails physical communication of the ore, beneficiation involves the improvement of the physical and chemical quality of the mineral through metallurgical, chemical, physical or biochemical processes.
Benefaction can involve several techniques, including:Benefaction could be done using several methods some of which include:
– Gravity separation: Applying the use of gravity to sort out that might contain valuable dense minerals from light gauge material.
– Flotation: A process which involves using certain chemicals to check the surface wettability of the minerals; that is, instead of the mineral sinking on water all the unwanted materials will be sinking while the mineral floats on the water surface.
– Magnetic separation: Use of a magnetic field in order to ease collection of magnetic minerals which are not equal to or similar to non magnetic ones.
Benefaction is an effort to collect valuable minerals; sometimes in a bid to prepare the material for smelting or other means.
Key Differences Between the Two
While, mineral processing includes the process of separating the desirable mineral from the material while benefaction mostly emphasizes on how this can be done efficiently. Mineral processing is predominantly involved with a particle size reduction to a level that will enable it undergo further treatment while Benefaction focuses on the quality of the particle through concentration and separation processes.
In mining operations crushing and milling equipment are used most commonly. For instance, jaw crushers are among the most employed machines used in the initial stage of operations because of the ability of handling large and very hard materials. Benefit on the other hand requires more complex equipment some of which include flotation cells, magnetic and chemical treatment plants.
This is due to the fact that stages call for different equipment and for a business like a crusher manufacturer, it is continuous that one supplies the appropriate equipment to the mining firms.
Why Both Are Important
Mineral processing and beneficiation go hand in hand in this case, to ensure that strategies that would enhance the net value of mined ore are developed while at the same time preventing wastage. Mineral processing also known as ore treatment is the stage in which the dimensions of the ore are altered towards preparation for other treatment processes. If size reduction is not well implemented, then the grinding and separation may also not be easily done.
Benefits on the other hand brings in the value of the ore in the economy by enhancing the concentration of the ore especially for low grade ores since it may take time, energy and money to mine a valuable mineral than the value obtained. As much as benefaction enhances the quality of the ore this makes mining operations to be profitable and efficient.
Any mining company that will neglect either of the two phases is certain to lose the resource, spend more than what it ought to per unit of the mineral, or will be less efficient in the exploitation process.
Conclusion: Integrating Processing and Benefaction
Minerals processing and beneficiation in current practice reflect an integrated flow process sequence where manipulation of the head end product creates a continuous sequence of operation for maximum yield and efficiency of the process as well as minimum wastage of resources. From the initial stages of crushing in mines efficient and effective methods such as use of equipments like jaw crushers All the way to the highly technical and competitive process of beneficiation each part is extremely vital to any mine.
In the case of B2B companies providing goods such as mining equipment, it will be necessary to make a distinction between these steps as a means of considering the problems of the clients with the most appropriate strategies. It also applies to suppliers of crushing equipment manufacturers and beneficiation technologies where getting crushers that can make the best out of each stage of the mineral extraction process cuts the cost of the mineral extraction industries.
Finally, it is very much evident that both the mineral processing and beneficiation are useful in the process of transforming raw material for instance ores to more valuable products. Thus, both stages are controlled and the overall yield from mining operations is boosted, along with the reduction in wastage hence enhancing the profitability of the firm.
