Gravity method of ore concentration depends on the difference in the specific gravity of ore and gangue particles.

The gravity method of ore concentration is a method that uses the differences in the specific gravity of ore and gangue particles to separate them. This method is widely used in the mining industry to extract valuable minerals from ore.

Specific gravity:
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance (usually water). It is a measure of how heavy a substance is compared to an equal volume of water. Each mineral has a specific gravity value that is unique to it.

When it comes to ore concentration, the specific gravity of the ore and gangue particles plays a crucial role. The specific gravity of the ore particles is generally higher than that of the gangue particles. Therefore, by exploiting this difference in specific gravity, the ore particles can be separated from the gangue particles using the gravity method.

Working principle:
The gravity method of ore concentration works based on the principle of gravity separation. Gravity separation is a physical process that separates particles of different specific gravity by settling in a medium such as water.

The ore and gangue particles are first crushed into smaller sizes to facilitate the separation process. The crushed ore is then fed onto a vibrating table or a jigging machine that is inclined and oscillating. The particles are stratified based on their specific gravity, with the heavier ore particles settling down more quickly than the lighter gangue particles.

Separation process:
As the vibrating table or jigging machine oscillates, the particles are subjected to a combination of upward and downward water flows. The denser ore particles settle downward and are collected as the concentrate, while the lighter gangue particles are carried away by the upward water flow and discarded as tailings.

This separation process is effective because the specific gravity of the ore particles is higher than that of the gangue particles. The difference in specific gravity allows the ore particles to settle and concentrate while the gangue particles are carried away.

Advantages:
The gravity method of ore concentration has several advantages:

1. It is a simple and cost-effective method that does not require complex equipment.
2. It can be used for a wide range of ore types and sizes.
3. It has a high recovery rate for valuable minerals.
4. It is environmentally friendly, as it does not involve the use of chemicals or harmful substances.

Overall, the gravity method of ore concentration is an important technique in the mining industry for separating valuable minerals from gangue. It relies on the difference in specific gravity between ore and gangue particles to achieve effective separation.