Magnetic Separators

A magnetic separator is a device to separate various material compositions on the basis of their magnetic properties. Since 19th century magnetic separation processes have been used to concentrate and separate minerals. Ferro magnetism, paramagnetism and diamagnetism are the three important properties of the minerals. Ferro magnetic minerals are themselves magnets hence they stick to the magnets and can be easily removed later on. Paramagnetic and diamagnetic minerals interact with a magnetic field in a different way.

Paramagnetic minerals are weakly attracted into a magnetic field and diamagnetic minerals are weakly repelled by a magnetic field. Therefore if a mixture of paramagnetic and diamagnetic minerals is passed through a magnetic field, they will be pulled into the field (paramagnetic) or repelled from the field (diamagnetic) and may be separated. The electromagnetic separator separating the minerals consist of electromagnets or rare earth magnets of varying size and strength.