The GATE Grind

GATE 2024 MT โ€“ Question 17

Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy ยท Mineral beneficiation ยท 1 mark ยท Multiple choice

Wet high intensity magnetic separators (WHIMS) are used to concentrate

  1. fine (< 75 ยต๐‘š) paramagnetic minerals.
  2. coarse (> 75 ยต๐‘š) ferromagnetic minerals.
  3. coarse (> 75 ยต๐‘š) paramagnetic minerals.
  4. fine (< 75 ยต๐‘š) ferromagnetic minerals.

Practise this question in The GATE Grind โ†’

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (A) fine (< 75 ยต๐‘š) paramagnetic minerals.

Explanation

Weakly magnetic paramagnetic particles require high magnetic field intensity/gradient for separation.

Wet processing permits efficient handling of the fine fraction that is difficult to separate dry.

Thus WHIMS concentrates **fine paramagnetic minerals, A**.