Patent ID: 8443980
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: B07C,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material into at least two categories, with at least one category containing particles of mined material that are more susceptible to microwave energy, and with at least one other category containing particles of mined material that are less susceptible to microwave energy, the method comprising the steps of: (a) exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating the particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles; (b) allowing sufficient time for the heat generated in the particles by exposure of valuable material in the particles to microwave energy to be transferred through the particles so that the temperature of each particle on the surface of the particle is a measure of the mass average temperature through the particle; (c) thermally analysing the particles to detect temperature differences between particles which indicate composition differences between the particles; and (d) sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis.