Beneficiate means to treat run-of-mine ore through mechanical or chemical processes to increase the concentration of the target mineral. This typically involves crushing, grinding, and separation techniques like flotation or gravity concentration. The goal is to produce a high-grade concentrate that is economical to smelt or refine, leaving the barren gangue behind as tailings.
We need to beneficiate the copper ore at the site before loading it onto the railcars.
Also heard as
- process
- concentrate
Related terms
Concentrator
A facility or machine that separates valuable minerals from waste rock.
Comminution
The mechanical process of reducing solid ore into smaller particles.
Flotation
A mineral separation method that uses chemical reagents and air bubbles to lift specific target minerals to the surface of a liquid bath.
Tailings
The waste material left over after the valuable minerals have been extracted from ore.