General Principles and Process of Isolation of Metals

Introduction, Concentration of Ores


  1. Metals are substances characterized by a shine called metallic luster having high electrical and heat conductivity and are malleable and ductile.
  2. An ore is a rock or mineral from which a metal or non-metal can be economically produced. Eg. Iron is obtained from haematite (Fe2O3).
  3. Metal can be extracted from its ore by a) Concentration of ore b) Extraction of Metal c) Purification of Metal
  4. Concentration is done by 
    • a) Gravity separation – i.e washing of ore. Eg: Carbonates and oxides
    • b) Froth flotation process – used for sulphide ores
    • c) Magnetic separation – for magnetic ores, Tin stone (Cassiterite SnO2) non-metallic ore is separated from magnetic wolframite FeWO4.
    • d) Electrostatic separation – Eg. To separate zinc sulphide and lead sulphide.
    • e) Chemical method – Eg. Baeyer’s process used for bauxite (Fe2O3 + Al2O3 Red Bauxite)

Part1: View the Topic in this Video from 1:42 to 18:12

Part2: View the Topic in this Video from 0:08 to 7:50

Part3: View the Topic in this Video from 0:08 to 12:55

Part4: View the Topic in this Video from 0:08 to 9:23

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