Why Poor Separation Results Are Often Caused by Wrong Usage, Not the Machine
Magnetic separators are widely used in mineral processing plants.
However, in many projects, unsatisfactory separation results are not caused by equipment quality, but by incorrect application and improper selection.
Below are the most common misunderstandings we see in real mining projects.
Misunderstanding 4: Dry and Wet Magnetic Separation Are Almost the Same
Wrong assumption
Dry and wet magnetic separators can be used interchangeably.
Key differences
| Item | Dry Magnetic Separator | Wet Magnetic Separator |
| Feed material | Dry, coarse particles | Fine particles, slurry |
| Separation accuracy | Moderate | High |
| Application in Africa | Limited | Most common choice |
👉 For most African metal ore projects, wet magnetic separation offers better stability and recovery.
Misunderstanding 5: Feed Size and Pulp Density Are Not Important
Common mistakes
Feed size too coarse → minerals not fully liberated
Pulp density too high → magnetic minerals trapped in gangue
Recommended conditions
Feed size: ≤ 0.2–0.3 mm
Pulp density: adjusted according to ore characteristics
👉 Even the best equipment requires proper operating conditions.
Misunderstanding 6: Magnetic Separators Can Replace Gravity or Flotation Equipment
Wrong assumption
Using a magnetic separator eliminates the need for other separation methods.
Correct processing strategy
Gold ores → centrifugal concentrator, shaking table, flotation
Magnetite → magnetic separation as the core process
Complex ores → combined processing flows
👉 Magnetic separation solves magnetic problems only.
Why Proper Selection Matters More Than Equipment Price
In real projects, we often see that:
Losses caused by wrong process selection are much higher than the cost of the equipment itself.
We support our clients with:
Ore characteristics evaluation
Customized magnetic + gravity + flotation solutions
Equipment selection adapted to African mining conditions
📩 Need Professional Advice?
If you are unsure whether your ore is suitable for magnetic separation,
please share your ore type, particle size range, and capacity requirement.
Our engineers will help you design a stable, cost-effective, and high-recovery mineral processing solution.