Measurements of Mineral Liberation in Connection with Mineral Beneficiation

An investigation was conducted to determine types of particles that tend to be recovered in concentrates by mineral beneficiation. It was found that, in concentrates of the same grade the proportion of desired mineral occurring as apparently liberated grains varies widely. In contrast the proportion is nearly constant when the grains considered are apparently liberated grains plus unliberated grains in particles composed largely of the desired mineral. It was also found that the types of particles which tend to be recovered in concentrates are dependent upon the concentrate grade. Hence it is much more important to determine the characteristics of recoverable particles and to measure the percentage of mineral that occurs in recoverable particles. than to measure the percentage of totally liberated mineral. A relationship between concentrate grade and type of particle that tends to be recovered in concentrates was established.