What Is Magnetic Separation?

AKSA MAGNET
Jan 15
2 min read

Magnetic separation is a method used to separate materials based on their magnetic properties. It is commonly applied in the mining, recycling, ceramics, food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

It is particularly preferred for separating ferromagnetic minerals (such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, which exhibit strong magnetic properties) or paramagnetic minerals (which exhibit weak magnetic properties) from non-magnetic materials.

Working Principle of Magnetic Separation

In this method, materials are passed through a magnetic field. Particles with magnetic properties are attracted by the magnetic field and collected at a designated point, while non-magnetic particles follow a different path and are separated.

Types of Magnetic Separation

Low Intensity Magnetic Separation (LIMS)

Used for separating ferromagnetic minerals (e.g., magnetite).
Typically operates with a magnetic field strength in the range of 0.1–0.2 Tesla.

High Intensity Magnetic Separation (HIMS)

Used for separating paramagnetic minerals (such as hematite and ilmenite).
Utilizes magnetic field strengths between 0.3 and 1.5 Tesla.

High Gradient Magnetic Separation (HGMS)

Suitable for separating very fine magnetic and paramagnetic minerals.
Magnetic field intensity can reach 2 Tesla or higher.

Dry Magnetic Separation

Used for materials that do not contain moisture.
Particularly preferred in low-humidity environments.

Wet Magnetic Separation

A separation process carried out in water-containing environments.
Provides more effective separation by keeping minerals suspended in water.

Applications

Mining: Beneficiation of minerals such as iron ores (magnetite, hematite) and titanium minerals (ilmenite, rutile).
Ceramics and Glass Industry: Improving glass and ceramic quality by reducing iron oxide content.
Food Industry: Separation of foreign metal particles (e.g., in flour and sugar production).
Recycling: Plastic and metal separation, e-waste (electronic waste) recycling.
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries: Use of precision magnetic filters to obtain pure chemicals.

If you are planning to use magnetic separation in a newly established industrial mineral beneficiation plant, selecting the right equipment will depend on which minerals you intend to process. With 30 years of experience, AKSA MAGNET will assist you in selecting the most suitable process.