MINERAL PROCESSING Meaning and
Definition
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Mineral processing refers to the process of extracting valuable minerals from their ores. It is a crucial step in the mining industry where minerals from the earth are extracted in a concentrated form, ready for further processing or direct use. The objective of mineral processing is to liberate valuable minerals locked within the ore matrix and separate them from the undesired gangue minerals, consequently upgrading the ore to a mineral concentrate or metal for further downstream processing.
The processing of minerals involves a series of physical and chemical processes. These processes typically include comminution (crushing and grinding), sizing (screening), gravity separation, magnetic separation, froth flotation, and dewatering. Comminution involves reducing the size of the ore particles to facilitate liberation of valuable minerals. Sizing is the process of separating particles based on their size or specific gravity. Froth flotation, one of the most widely used methods, involves selectively separating minerals from gangue by adding certain chemicals to create a froth. This froth is then skimmed off, leaving behind the desired minerals. Dewatering is the final stage in mineral processing, where excess water is removed from the concentrate or tailings.
Mineral processing is essential for the extraction of minerals from the earth and plays a significant role in the global economy, providing essential materials for numerous industries such as construction, manufacturing, and energy.
Common Misspellings for MINERAL PROCESSING
- nineral processing
- kineral processing
- jineral processing
- muneral processing
- mjneral processing
- mkneral processing
- moneral processing
- m9neral processing
- m8neral processing
- miberal processing
- mimeral processing
- mijeral processing
- miheral processing
- minwral processing
- minsral processing
- mindral processing
- minrral processing
- min4ral processing
- min3ral processing
Etymology of MINERAL PROCESSING
The term "mineral processing" is derived from two roots: "mineral" and "processing".
The word "mineral" comes from the Latin word "mineralis", which means "mine" or "ore". It is believed to be derived from the Latin word "minera", meaning "diggers". The Latin word has its roots in the Celtic word "mina", signifying "mine" or "ore".
The term "processing" originates from the Latin word "processus", which means "progression" or "advance". It is a combination of the prefix "pro-", meaning "forward", and the verb "cedere", meaning "to go" or "move". Over time, "processus" has evolved to include the sense of "treatment" or "operation".
When these two terms are combined, "mineral processing" refers to the treatment or operation of mining materials or ores.
Similar spelling word for MINERAL PROCESSING
