The role of gravity concentration in modern processing plants

Abstract Next to hand picking, gravity concentration is the oldest of all forms of mineral processing. While, in the twentieth century gravity concentration has been partially replaced by other processes, notably flotation and magnetic separation, they have not made it obsolete. That such an ancient and inherently simple process has not only survived, but thrived, is in part due to its very simplicity. Not only is gravity concentration the process of choice in small, remote, artisanal plants, it also continues to play a major role in larger, “modern” plants for the concentration of many minerals, literally from A (andelusite) to Z (zircon). This paper will review some of the advances in gravity concentration equipment and technology, that has allowed it to keep pace with, and grow, in what is becoming an increasingly competitive world. Various examples of modern equipment, and their potential application will be given. The paper will serve to challenge the mineral processing engineer to ask himself: “can gravity concentration solve my problem too?”