Which processing step occurs immediately before concentrating?

Which processing step occurs immediately before concentrating?

• A. Dense media separation
• B. Crushing
• C. Scrubbing
• D. Screening

Answer: (A)

In diamond ore processing, the goal is to progressively separate materials by size and density to isolate heavy minerals like diamonds. After the ore is crushed, scrubbed to remove clay, and screened by size, it moves into a dense media separation stage. In this step a liquid with a specific density is used so that heavier minerals (including diamonds) sink while lighter waste floats. This produces a dense mineral concentrate that is then sent to the concentrating stage for final diamond recovery. Therefore, dense media separation is the step that occurs immediately before concentrating, because it creates the heavy mineral concentrate that concentrates work on next.

In diamond ore processing, the goal is to progressively separate materials by size and density to isolate heavy minerals like diamonds. After the ore is crushed, scrubbed to remove clay, and screened by size, it moves into a dense media separation stage. In this step a liquid with a specific density is used so that heavier minerals (including diamonds) sink while lighter waste floats. This produces a dense mineral concentrate that is then sent to the concentrating stage for final diamond recovery. Therefore, dense media separation is the step that occurs immediately before concentrating, because it creates the heavy mineral concentrate that concentrates work on next.