Processes for macroscopically separating a maceral concentrate from raw coal are disclosed. In some embodiments, a process includes the following steps: crushing and sieving the raw coal to obtain a first coal sample and a second coal sample; subjecting the first coal sample to a heavy medium cyclone separation process; and subjecting the second coal sample to a froth flotation process. The first coal sample has a particle size within a first particle size range, and the second coal sample has a particle size within a second particle size range. In other embodiments, the froth flotation process uses a froth flotation agent including a foaming agent and a collector. The foaming agent includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of 2-octanol, terpenic oil, and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The collector includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of kerosene, diethyl phthalate (BET), and diesel.

An apparatus for classifying fine particles in slurry provides a sharp particle size distribution with few mixed coarse particles and high classification accuracy. The apparatus includes a rotor (15) including classification chambers (17) between blades (16) radially arranged at circumferentially regular intervals, and classifies particles so that a classified particle size is constant in an entire radial region from an outer periphery to an inner periphery of the classification chamber. The blade (16) of the rotor has a circumferential thickness t(d) increasing toward the outer periphery, and the classification chamber (17) has a width increasing toward the inner periphery.

An apparatus for classifying fine particles in slurry provides a sharp particle size distribution with few mixed coarse particles and high classification accuracy. The apparatus includes a rotor (15) including classification chambers (17) between blades (16) radially arranged at circumferentially regular intervals, and classifies particles so that a classified particle size is constant in an entire radial region from an outer periphery to an inner periphery of the classification chamber. The blade (16) of the rotor has a circumferential thickness t(d) increasing toward the outer periphery, and the classification chamber (17) has a width increasing toward the inner periphery.

The invention relates to a beneficiation process for uranium ores comprising clay and carbonate minerals, the process comprising: performing a hydrocyclone step to obtain a hydrocyclone underflow fraction substantially comprising the uranium component; treating the hydrocyclone underflow fraction to effect a separation of carbonate and uranium minerals; and recovering the uranium-bearing minerals to produce a uranium concentrate.

The invention relates to a beneficiation process for uranium ores comprising clay and carbonate minerals, the process comprising: performing a hydrocyclone step to obtain a hydrocyclone underflow fraction substantially comprising the uranium component; treating the hydrocyclone underflow fraction to effect a separation of carbonate and uranium minerals; and recovering the uranium-bearing minerals to produce a uranium concentrate.

According to embodiments described in the specification, an exemplary method is disclosed for hydraulically hoisting potash (or other evaporite ore) fines material from an underground mine. The method includes mining an ore deposit using a boring machine to generate Run-of-Mine (ROM) material at a mine face, conveying the generated ROM material to an underground ore screening plant, screening the ROM material relative to a threshold size wherein the threshold size is a feed size of one or more flotation cells at a surface processing plant, mixing fines material, comprising ROM material that is below the threshold size, with a saturated brine to create a slurry mixture wherein the saturated brine prevents the fines material from dissolving into the slurry mixture, and pumping the slurry mixture to a surface location via one of a shaft and a borehole to the surface product separation plant.

A mineral extraction system features at least one hydrocyclone, each having input piping, underflow piping, a cyclone portion and overflow piping; a particle size measurement device arranged on some part of the at least one hydrocyclone and configured to sense particles flowing in a process medium, and providing signaling containing information about the size of the particles in the process medium; and a controller having a signal processor configured to receive the signaling, and determine control signaling to control some part of the mineral extraction system, based upon the signaling received.

A mineral extraction system features at least one hydrocyclone, each having input piping, underflow piping, a cyclone portion and overflow piping; a particle size measurement device arranged on some part of the at least one hydrocyclone and configured to sense particles flowing in a process medium, and providing signaling containing information about the size of the particles in the process medium; and a controller having a signal processor configured to receive the signaling, and determine control signaling to control some part of the mineral extraction system, based upon the signaling received.

A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method for separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.

A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method for separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.