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Distinguish between metal ore concentration and metal ore extraction. - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question c - 2009
Question c
Distinguish between metal ore concentration and metal ore extraction.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Distinguish between metal ore concentration and metal ore extraction. - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question c - 2009
Step 1
Distinguish between metal ore concentration
Answer
Metal ore concentration is the process that occurs after mining, aimed at removing as much metal as possible from the ore. This process improves the percentage of usable mineral and includes techniques such as magnetic separation, flotation, and gravity concentration. These methods effectively segregate the valuable minerals from the waste.
Step 2
Distinguish between metal ore extraction
Answer
Metal ore extraction, on the other hand, is the process of obtaining metal from these concentrated ores. This involves converting the concentrates into the pure metal, typically through methods such as smelting in furnaces, leaching, or electrolysis. The goal here is to recover the metal from the concentrates obtained after the concentration process.