:,L.,.;,,, .,. ((1, : ~ J L ~!~?lA1,;/,'li. .,, .. ' .

~ i : h ' l i
.. *
, (
. , . -
. . : - . -T!.:..
. ,c C.): :dXkIF::::A N 3
.- -
> I I 7

:. ,' . ,
, r,.
-
:>:
..- -1".
.,.,,...,,
PAMPHLET NO. 84 r cc -:..;.,. lgr?..d--& APRIL, 1949

Mineral Beneficiation

Gravity Concentration
A Fundamental Study

Bureau of Mines and Geology Pamphlet No. 84

April, 1949

Issued under g r a n t from t h e Special Research Fund,

Project No. 12

SCHOOL
OF MINES, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
in cooperation zoith
IDAHO
BUREAUO F MINESAND GEOLOGY

Published by t h e University of Zdc~ho,Moscozo, Idaho

 SPECIAL RESEARCH PROGRAM

Recognizing the important part which research can play

in the development of the State the 1945 session of the Idaho
Legislature made a special appropriation for technical in-
vestigations in the fields of agriculture, engineering, forestry,
mining, metallurgy and related activities. This special re-
search program was continued and expanded by the 1947
Iclaho Legislature. Following the spirit and intent of the ap-
propriation act those problems a r e considered which are wide-
ly applicable throughout the State of Idaho ancl the resu!ts
of which it is hoped will contribute directly to the develop-
ment of Iclaho, the utilization of its widespread resources,
and have immediate application to its post-war economy.
The Special Research Program is administered by t h e
University of Idaho Research Council. The individual proj-
ects a r e carried on by the various experimental and research
divisions of the University. The investigation described in
this bulletin is Project No. 12 in the Special Research Pro-
gram. The work was done by the School of Mines, University
of Idaho, in cooperation with the Idaho Bureau of Mines and
Geology and under the general supervision of Dean A. W.
Fahrenwald.
 Mineral Beneficiation By Gravity
Concentration A Fundamental Study

INTRODUCTION
The increasing demand for metals and mineral products, coupled
with the critical depletion of known deposits of high grade ore,
has led to the development and mining of low grade ore deposits.
Before these low grade ores can be of value in a manufacturing or
refining process i t is necessary that their mineral or metal content
be increased by some method of beneficiation. This need for the
concentration of low grade ores has led to the development of new
processes such as flotation and heavy-media separation and to the
improvement of other processes such as magnetic separation.
Gravity processes of mineral beneficiation are the earliest on
record. They include panning, sluicing, blanket-covered strakes,
vanners, bumping tables, and jigs. All such processes primarily
take advantage of a difference in the specific gravity of the min-
erals to be separated. Other factors, less significant than specific
gravity yet having a strong bearing on the efficiency of the
gravity process, are shape and size of the particles to be separated.
One of the practical shortcomings of all gravity processes is in
the matter of capacity-capacity falling off rapidly ( a ) as the
specific gravities of the minerals to be separated approach a com-
mon value, and (b) as the particle size comprising the feed de-
creases. Obviously all gravity processes fail completely when the
specific gravity spread vanishes. Also, gravity processes fail or
become impotent when the particles are so small that viscosity
tends to overcome the force of gravity.
PURPOSE
The study herewith reported was an investigation of the cap-
acity factor in gravity concentration processes-in particular
those processes in which mineral beneficiation is effected in
washed, flowing pulp films on inclined surfaces.
ORES
The ores used for this study were an artificial ore composed of
magnetite and magnesite, and a naturally occurring ore contain-
ing cobalt and copper.
The artificial ore was chosen for the following reasons:
1. The mineral constituents could be separated readily by gravity
concentration.
(3)
4 SCHOOL OF MINES, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

2. A rapid determination of the mineral content of the test pro-

ducts could be made with a magnet.
3. Variables involving locked middlings were eliminated.
The mixture consisted of 10 per cent by 'weight of magnetite and
90 per cent by weight of magnesite. The specific gravity of the
mineral constituents was 4.78 for the magnetite and 2.89 for the
magnesite. The mixture had a specific gravity of 3.08.
That the studies might assume a practical nature it was desirable
that a natural ore be used in part of the investigations. The ore
selected for this purpose was a cobalt-copper ore from the Black-
bird Mine, Forney, Idaho. This ore was chosen because, owing to
its mineralogical composition, it presented a difficult problem in
gravity concentration. Also, a t the time this study was started I
there existed no satisfactory method for the separation of the cobalt
sulphide minerals from the iron sulphide minerals. The ore as
received contained 3.4 per cent copper and 0.86 per cent cobalt. f
Table 1 gives the specific gravity and the per cent weight of the
major sulphide constituents of the ore. The non-sulphide minerals
consisted mainly of quartz with varying amounts of amphiboles
and micas. Several specimens contained minor amounts of calcite
and siderite.
Table 1
Sulphide content of cobalt-copper ore

Mineral Specific Gravity % Weight

Pyrite 5.00 20.0
Chalcopyrite 4.20 10.0
Cobaltite 6.15 2.5
All other sulphides 2.5
Total 35.0

INVESTIGATIONS
TEST PROCEDURE
PREPARATION OF THE ORE
The artificial ore was prepared by separately crushing the I
magnetite and magnesite through a 10-mesh screen. The minus
10-mesh crusher products were again screened separately with
screens whose apertures had been calculated from the equal settling
!
ratios of the two minerals. For example, the maximum magnesite
particle passing through a 28-mesh screen is equal settling with I
the maximum magnetite particle passing through a 48-mesh screen
(5) .* Tyler sieves were used.
The oversize from the second screening operation was stage
ground in a 2000-gram laboratory ball mill. The ball mill was oper- I
I
ated in closed circuit with the same screen that was used in the
second screening operation ( 1 ) . The undersize products from both
* Referencesare at the end of the paper.
 MINERAL BENEFICIATION BY GRAVITY CONCENTRATION 5

the second screening operation ancl the ball mill circuit were then
combined in the proper proportions to produce a mixture of 10
per cent magnetite and 90 per cent magnesite. The mixture was
classified in a four-inch by four-foot hydraulic classifier of local
design. The spigot products from the hydraulic classifier con-
stituted the feed used in subsequent gravity concentration tests.
Normally, two spigot products were made with each lot of ground
ore and designated a s spigot product No. 1. and spigot product No.
2. The maximum sized particle in each spigot product was con-
trolled by varying the velocity of the water in the classifier. Table
2 is a typical screen analysis of the spigot products produced in the
classification of the artificial ore.

Table 2
Screen analysis of magnetite-magnesite spigot prodilcts

Spigot No. 1 Spigot No. 2

Size % Cum. % % Fe,01 % Cum. % % Fez01
'(Mesh) Ret. Ret. Fe,Ot Dist. % Ret. Ret. Fes04 Dist. %
+48
+65
0.0
30.8
0.0
4-100 48.9
3.150 12.9
+200 5.8
-200 1.6
Total 100.0

Essentially the same procedure was followed in preparing the

cobalt-copper ore a s was followed in preparing the artificial ore.
Microscopic examination of the ore indicated t h a t the cobalt and
copper minerals could be liberated by grinding through 65-mesh.
To avoid excessive slimming of these minerals the minus 10-mesh
crusher product was screened on a 48-mesh screen. The plus 48-
mesh oversize was then ground at 65 per cent solids in a laboratory
ball mill i n closed circuit with a 48-mesh screen. All of the minus
48-mesh material was combined and treated by flotation to remove
the copper minerals. The flotation reagents and the amounts used
were a s follows :
F-60, frother ................................................ 0.06 lb. per ton
Aerofloat 238, collector ............................. 0.08 lb. per ton
Sodium cyanide, depressant ........................ 0.05 lb. per ton
Lime, conditioner .......................................... 5.00 lb. per ton
The tails from the flotation process were thickened to about
70 per cent solids and classified in a hydraulic classifier. Table
3 gives a typical screen analysis of the spigot products made by
classification of the flotation tails.
GRAVITY CONCENTRATION EQUIPMENT
All gravity concentration tests were made on either a Wilfley
laboratory table or on a rotary pan concentrator.
6 SCHOOL O F MINES, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

The Wilfley laboratory table was equipped with a conventional

twelve-inch by thirty-inch riffled deck and a standard Wilfley
head motion. The total concentration area of the deck was 360
square inches.
The rotary pan concentrator is a machine that was specially de-
signed f o r this stucly by A. W. Fahrenwald, Dean, University of
Idaho School of Mines. Figure 1 illustrates the general construction
of the concentrator. I t consists of a n inverted obtuse cone resting
on a trunnion supportecl by four ball bearings equally spaced
Table 3
Screen analysis o.f cobalt-copper ore spigot products
-- - - -

Spigot No. 1 Spigot No. 2

Size % Cum. %' % Cobalt 'hi Cum. % % Cobalt
(Mesh) Ret. Ret. Cobalt Dist. % ' Ret. Ret. Cobalt Dist. %
+65 19.3 19.3 1.00 14.5 0.0
-tl o o 37.3 56.6 1.00 28.0 10.5 10.5 0.41 5.4
+ 150
+200
16.7
16.5
73.3
89.8
1.21
1.62
15.1
20.0
14.8
30.4
25.3
55.7
0.34
0.37
6.4
14.4
+325 7.2 97.0 2.61 14.1 25.6 81.3 0.83 26.9
-325 3.0 100.0 3.71 8.3 18.7 100.0 1.98 46.9
Total 100.0 ........ 1.34 100.0 100.0 ........ 0.79 100.0

around the circumference of the trunnion. A uniform rotary motion

about the apex of the cone is imparted by a belt-drive from a gear-
reducer and motor. The inner surface of the cone serves a s the
concentration surface.' A stationary feed launder supplies pulp a t
cjnly one point on the periphery of the surface. The concentration
products, concentrate, middling, and tailing, a r e removed through
a. discharge hole at the apex of the cone where they a r e collected
by adjustable launders and delivered to individual containers.
Concentration of the ore minerals is accomplished by the action
of wash .water from a stationary annular water pipe supported
above the concentrating surface. The speed of rotation and volume
of wash water a r e variables which may be changed while the
concentrator is in operation.
The cones, or pans, were constructed from sheet-steel and lined
with concrete to produce a conical surface of the desired slope.
P a n s of two surface slopes, two inches per foot and three inches
per foot, were used in this study. The diameter of the concentrating
surface of both pans was two feet. The total concentration area of
the two inches per foot slope was 485 square inches, and the total
concentration area of the three inches per foot slope was 368
square inches.
The base of the concrete surface consisted of a mixture of two
parts of minus 20-mesh sand and one p a r t of portlancl cement, to-
gether with enough water to produce a thick mud. This mud was
applied to the steel pan with a trowel and worked until a uniform
MINERAL BENEFICIATION BY GRAVITY CONCENTRATION 7

Figure 1
Photograph of Rotary Pan Concentrator
8 SCHOOL OF MINES, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

surface of the desired slope was obtained. Then the concrete sur-
face was covered with damp burlap sacks and allowed to set for
twenty-four hours. Next, a coating of waterproof cement was ap-
plied to the concrete base with a trowel. The waterproof cement
surface was finished with either a trowel or a damp brush, de-
pending on the type of surface desired. After finishing, the surface
was covered with damp sacks and allowed to set until hard. Figure
2 illustrates the construction and gives the details of the pans used.

Surface slope = 2in/ft

1 /concrete lining
'in. sheet s t e e l

S urface slope = 3in/ft

r c o n c r e t a lining

t+ I I in. -1
Figure Z
Pan Construction

GRAVITY CONCENTRATION TESTS

Gravity concentration tests were conducted by feeding the con-
centrating machine being studied a prepared ore of a given size
 MINERAL BENEFICIATION BY GRAVITY CONCENTRATION 9

characteristic a t a predetermined feed rate. The effect of each

variable was measured by a separate set of tests, all other variables
being held constant. Feed rates were measured to the nearest five
grams per minute, water flow to the nearest ten cubic centimeters
per minute, and speeds of rotation to the nearest one-eighth revo-
lution per minute. Sufficient feed was provided for each test to
allow a minimum testing time of two minutes. In the majority
of cases, the testing time was four minutes or more. Test products
were collected in individual containers, dried, weighed, and an-
alyzed. Per cent magnetite was determined with a magnet, and
per cent copper was determined by the short iodide method (6).
Cobalt analysis were made by a colorimetric method obtained from
the American Cyanamid Company.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Since the rotary pan concentrator presented a new approach
to the study of gravity concentration, the first phase of the prob-
lem was a determination of the factors affecting the operation of
the machine. The factors thus studied were type of surface, speed
of rotation, rate of feed, pulp density of feed, particle size of feed,
and slope of surface. Preliminary studies of all the factors except
surface slope were made with the artificial magnetite-magnesite
ore on a n arbitrarily chosen slope of two inches per foot. The
cobalt-copper ore was used in the study of surface slope a s a factor
of operation.
The second phase of the problem was a comparison of the cap-
acity and efficiency of the rotary pan concentrator with a com-
mercially proved gravity concentrating machine. The standard
Wilfley laboratory table was chosen for this comparison.
TYPES OF SURFACES
Three types of surfaces; smooth, rough, and riffled, were in-
vestigated. As defined here, a smooth surface has a roughness
approximately equivalent to that of unvarnished linoleum, and the
rough surface has a roughness approximately equivalent to t h a t
of heavy canvas. The riffled surface consisted of a smooth surface
on which were superimposed two concentric riffles one thirty-
second of a n inch in height. The riffles were located a t distances
of six inches and nine inches from the discharge hole.
Table 4 compares the results obtained on a smooth surface with
the results obtained on a rough surface. The feed rate for both
tests was 400 grams per minute. From Table 4 it is seen that the
rough surface increases the recovery of magnetite 13.3 per cent
with a reduction of 2.4 per cent in the gracle of concentrate.
Only a few tests were made with a riffled surface, a s i t was
immediately apparent that riffles dicl not improve the efficiency
of the rotary pan concentrator. A large portion of the gangue
minerals was retained on the surface of the concentrator by the
riffles, and a s the surface rotated these minerals were washed into
10 SCHOOL OF MINES, UNIVERSITY O F IDAHO

the concentrate launder, resulting in a reduction of the grade of

concentrate. Rather than an obstruction to the movement of the
mineral particles, an increase in the coefficient of friction between
the ore mineral and the surface is required to improve the re-
covery. Therefore, all subsequent tests wew made on a rough
surface.

Table 4
Comparison of recoveries on a smooth surface with recoveries
obtained on a rough surface

Concentrate
Surface % y,
Rec.
Smooth 42.5
Rough 55.8

SPEED OF ROTATION
The effect of varying the speeci of rotation on recovery ancl grade
of concentrate was studied with minus 28-mesh feed, minus 48-
mesh feed, and minus 100-mesh feed. Table 5 is a summary .of the
results obtained a t various speeds of rotation. The feed rate in
all tests was 450 grams per minule. I t is seen that the per cent
recovery of magnetite varies directly with the speecl of rotation.
A t speeds above five revolutions per minute the incerase in re-
covery is overshadowed by the decrease in the grade of concentrate.
The optimum speed of rotation seems to be from four and one half
to five revolutions per minute.
Table 5
Recovers of magnetite in concentrate a t various speeds of rotation

-28 mesh -48 mesh -100 mesh

Speed % % % '/o % %
R.P.M. FesOl Rec. FeaO I Rec. Fe,,OI Rec.
3.5 60.4 28.3
4.0 60.0 39.2 78.9 57.8
4.5 86.5 66.3 80.6 68.2
5.0 63.6 55.8 88.7 69.3 61.5 78.4
5.5 53.2 64.0 78.5 66.4 50.8 83.4

RATE OF FEED
Table G shows the effect of increasing the feed rate on the
recovery and the grade of products produced by the rotary pan
concentrator. The tests were conducted on minus forty-eight mesh
feed, and the speed of rotation was constant a t five revolutions per
minute. As the feed rate increases, the total recovery, which in-
cludes recovery in the concentrate plus recovery in the middling,
 MINERAL BENEFICIATION BY GRAVITY CONCENTRATION 11

is practically a constant. The magnetite analysis of both concentrate

and middling varies inversely with the feecl rate.
Table 6
Recovery of magnetite in concentrate and middling at various feed rates

Conc. Middling
Feed
Rate % %, ?C 70 Total
gms/min. FesOi Rec. Fe:,Ol Rec. Rec.

Table 7 is a summary of a cleaning circuit on the magnetite-

magnesite ore. The feed rate was 1492 grams per minute in the
roughing circuit and 500 grams per minute in the cleaning circuit.
The speed of rotation in both circuits was four and one half revo-
lutions per minute.
The roughing circuit prociuced a tailing, middling and con-
centrate. The rougher middlings and concentrate were combined
ancl cleaned by one stage of cleaning. The cleaning circuit produced
a cleaner tail, final middling and final concentrate. The cleaner
tail was combined with the rougher tail to give a final tail con-
taining 12.2 per cent of the total magnetite in the original feed.
The same pan and other apparatus were used in both the cleaning
circuit and roughing circuit.
Table 7
Summary of cycle test on magnetite-magnesite ore
-- - --

Product Weight % % Ratio

FelOl Recovery Conc.
Concentrate 1961.1 28.4 81.3 9.1
Middling 743.4 18.6 6.5 24.0
Tailing 15132.8 1.73 12.2
Total 17837.3 12.0 100.0

PULP DENSITY OF FEED

Pulp density of the feed to the rotary pan concentrator is not
an effective variable when treating plus 100-mesh material. When
treating material finer than 100-mesh, an increase in the pulp
density up to 35 per cent solids improves the recovery with only
a slight recluction in the grade of concentrate.
PARTICLE SIZE OF FEED
The metallurgical results obtained with the rotary pan con-
centrator when treating feeds of various maximum particle sizes
are given in Table 8. In each case the material treated was a classi-
12 SCHOOL O F MINES, UNIVERSITY O F IDAHO

fied product containing maximum sized particles a s indicated in

the first column of the table. In all tests the speed of rotation was
five revolutions per minute, and the feed rate was 450 grams per
minute.
Table 8
Comparison of metallurgical results obtaiued on feeds of
various maximum particle sizes

Concentrate Middling
Feed % % % % T
Size Fe.,O, Recovery Fe:,O, Recovery Rec
PesoI Fe30,
-28 mesh 63.6 55.8 11.2 42.3 98.1
-48 mesh 88.7 69.3 10.6 28.8 98.1
-100 mesh 61.5 78.4 5.4 15.1 93.5

From Table 8 it is seen that as the particle size decreases, the

recovery of magnetite in the concentrate increases, and the re-
covery of magnetite in the middling decreases. The total recovery
remains constant on the minus 28-mesh and minus 48-mesh feed.
The decrease in recovery on the finest feed is typical of all gravity
concentrating machines. The ideal feed for treatment by the rotary
pan concentrator under the conditions imposed is a classified
material with a maximum particle size of 48-mesh.
SURFACE SLOPE
The cobalt-copper ore was used in all tests conducted to determine
the effect of surface slope a s a variable in the operation of the
rotary pan concentrator. The tests were made on surfaces inclined
a t two inches per foot and on surfaces inclined a t three inches per
foot. Table 9 compares the metallurgical results obtained on ma-
terial of different size characteristics when treated on both sur-
face slopes. The speed of rotation of both surfaces was four and
one half revolutions per minute when treating spigot product No.
1, and five revolutions per minute when treating spigot product
No. 2. The feed rates for the first and second spigot products were
575 grams per minute and 500 grams per minute respectively.
Table 9 shows that, regardless of the size of feed treated, the best
metallurgical results are obtained on a surface slope of two inches
per foot.
'
COMPARISON OF ROTARY PAN WITH WILFLEY TABLE
Any comparison of the operation of a new gravity concentrating
machine with the operation of a standard machine must be made
on the basis of both recovery and capacity. Table 9 compares the
metallurgical results obtained on the rotary pan concentrator with
the results obtained on a Wilfley laboratory table. Table 10 com-
pares the recovery a t various screen sizes obtained by each machine
when both were treating spigot product No. 1. On the basis of
recovery these tables show that the rotary pan is a more efficient
 Table 9
Comparison of recovery of cobalt by rotary pan with recovery of cobalt by Wilfley Table

Rotary P a n Wilfley Table

Slope = 2 in/ft.
, Slope = 3 in/ft.
Character Conc. Middling Total Conc. Middling Total Conc. Middling Total
of Rec. Rec. Rec.
Feed % % % % % % % % % % % %
Co Rec. Co Rec. Co Rec. Co Rec. Co Rec. Co Rec.

1st Spigot 6.00 48.3 2.72 36.6 84.9 5.40 52.7 1.96 15.6 68.3 8.96 26.4 3.75 43.0 69.4
2nd Spigot 5.49 51.0 1.66 31.9 82.9 3.51 60.1 0:59 10.1 70.2 7.38 20.9 3.52 30.5 51.4
14 SCHOOL O F MINES, UNIVERSITY O F IDAHO

concentrating machine than the Wilfley table. The outstanding

clifference in recovery in Table 10 is found in the minus 200-mesh
sizes. In this size range the rotary pan f a r exceeds the Wilfley
table in efficiency.
The maximum capacity of the Wilfley table when treating spigot
product No. 1 of the cobalt-copper ore was 425 grams per minute;
when treating spigot product No. 2 of the cobalt-copper ore, the
maximum capacity was 300 grams per minute. The rotary pan
concentrator has been efficiently operated a t feed rates as high
as 1028 g13ams per minute when treating spigot product No. 2 of
the cobalt-copper ore. Table 11 is a summary of a cycle test made
a t this feed rate on spigot product No. 2. The total recovery of
cobalt obtained in the cycle test was 70.3 per cent, or 18.9 per cent
more than was obtained with the Wilfley Table a t a feed rate of
200 grams per minute. By use of an additional cleaning stage the
grade of the cleaner concentrate may be increased from 7.22 per
cent cobalt to 12.00 per cent cobalt. Figure 3 illustrates the flow-
sheet used in the rotary pan cycle test.
Roughing C i r c u i t

COMCENTRATOR

Conc. *

Tail L
dun
o,

,Clsoneril
T o woste

1 a!; v
i

Cleaning Circuit
Figure 3
Q
L

c
0
-Q

Flowsheet of Cycle Test on Cobalt-copper Ore

I

;,
Final
Conc.
 MINERAL BENEFICIATION BY GRAVITY CONCENTRATION 15

Table 10
Distribution of cobalt in screen fractions of test products

P e r Cent Weight of Cobalt

Rotary P a n Wilfley Table
Slope = 2 in/ft. Slope = 3 in/ft.
Mesh Conc. Midd. Tail. Conc. Midd. Tail. Conc. Midd. Tail.
+65 1.4 10.1 88.5 0.0 16.4 83.6 '24.8 33.1 42.1
+ l o 0 23.7 51.9 24.4 26.4 25.3 48.3 17.5 41.8 40.7
+ I 5 0 64.4 32.0 3.6 53.6 23.5 22.9 12.6 51.6 35.8
+200 70.2 28.6 1.2 79.0 10.3 10.7 31.5 47.0 21.5
f 325 61.1 37.8 1.1 88.1 3.3 8.6 43.3 43.9 12.8
-325 59.5 37.8 2.7 73.8 3.6 22.6 43.3 37.4 19.3

T.able 11
Summary of cycle test on cobalt-copper ore

70 % %
Pr~duct Wt. co. Rec.
Co.
Total Cleaner Conc. 10.0 7.22 49.6
4th Cycle Cleaner Midd. 5.9 5.13 20.7
Total Cleaner Tails 8.4 1.24 7.1
Total Rougher Tails 75.7 0.44 22.6
Total 100.0 1.46 100.0

SUMMARY
This study represents only lsreliminary work on the nossibility
of using the rotary pan concentrator as a machine for utilizing the
~ r i n c i p l e sof flowing-film gravity concentration. The tests out-
lined here are encouraging. With the laboratorr size machine the
metallurgical results have been superior to those obtained with the
laboratory Wilfley table. The high capacity of the machine has
been surprising, although i t has been shown that this will dron off
rapidly as the size of the feed becomes finer-a characteristic of
all gravity concentrating machines.
The diameter of the concentrator is a variable which has not
been studied. On the small machine tested, the time of residence
of the pulp on the concentrating surface is relatively short. It is
apparent that as the diameter is increased, the time of residence
of the pulp on the machine will be increased and the capacity per
unit of area will be lowered. If the necessary separation can be
made in a trils down a short incline, no advantage is gained in wash-
ing beyond the distance required to make this separation.
More study would be required to analyze the fundamental dif-
ferences between the rotary pan concentrator and the round tables
that are now largely obsolete. I n the rotary pan the thickness and
velocity of the flowing film both increase toward the discharge
at the apex. This is the reverse of the round table discharging on
 , ,,
.., ,
,., .

16 S C H O O L OF M I N E S , U N I V E R S I T Y OF I D A H O

the periphery. Also the centrifugal force with the rotary pan tends
to holcl the particles against the concave deck. On a round table
having a convex surface the opposite is true. I t is believed that
these fundamental differences are sufficient to warrant further
investigation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The writer wishes to thank Mr. A. W. Fahrenwald, Dean of the
School of Mines, University of Idaho, for suggesting this problem
and giving generously of his time in the discussion of the research
procedure. The advice and criticisms of Mr. Joseph Newton, Pro-
fessor of Metallurgy, have been of immeasurable assistance. The
writer is also indebted to Mr. Lewis S. Prater, Metallurgist, Idaho
Bureau of Mines and Geology, for his assistance in the laboratory
and to Mr. C. R. Kurtak, Chemist, Idaho Bureau of Mines and
Geology for his many ore analyses.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. B o n d , Fred C . , and M a x o n , W a l t e r L., " S t a n d a r d G r i n d a b i l i t y T e s t s and Cal-
culations." T r a n s a c t i o n s A m e r i c a n I n s t i t u t e of M i n i n g a n d Metalltirgical
Engineers. 153: 362-372. 1943.
2. F i n k e y , J o s e f , " S c i e n t i f i c F u n d a m e n t a l s o f G r a v i t y Concentration," t r a n s -
lated b y C . 0 . A n d e r s o n and M . H . G r i f f i t t s . U n i v e r s i t y of Missouri
S c h o o l of M i n e s a n d M e t a l l t ~ r g yB u l l e t i n N o . 1, T e c h n i c a l S e r i e s No. 11.
1930.
3. G a u d i n , A. M., Principles of M i n e r a l Dressing. 1st e d i t i o n . N e w Y o r k : M c -
G r a w - H i l l B o o k C o m p a n y , Inc. 1939. 554 pp.
4. H u m p h r e y s , I. B., and J u d s o n , H u b b a r d S . , " W h e r e Slsirals R e p l a c e T a b l e s ,
Flotation Cells." Engineering a n d M i n i n g J o u r n a l 146: 82-84. M a r c h 1945. >
5. T a g g a r t , A r t h u r F., H a n d b o o k o f Mineral Dressing. 1st edition. N e w Yorlc:
J o h n W i l e y and S o n s , Inc., 1945. 1926 pp.
6. L o w , A l b e r t H., W e i n i g , A r t h u r J., and S c h o d e r , W i l l i a m P., T e c h n i c a l
M e t h o d s of O r e A n a l y s i s . 11th edition. N e w Y o r k : J o h n W i l e y a n d S o n s ,
Inc., 1939. 325 pp.

IDAHONIAN, MOSCOW