MINERAL SEPARATION
“ With its rare earth permanent magnet array, the SUPERMAG achieves both strong magnetic fields and high gradients – making it ideal for treating fine or weakly magnetic material that conventional separators struggle to recover.”
Steinert’ s solid magnetic line-up
We also got the latest from Steinert on its magnetic solutions for mining – in the dry processing circuit for ferromagnetic minerals, at the early pre-conditioning stage, Steinert says that up to 30 to 40 % of the waste material can be rejected before entering the ball mill. The reduction of gangue material can lead to reduced closed circuit loads in the crushing circuits plus a smaller plant footprint( fewer crushers, less vibrating screens, fewer conveyors), improved magnetite concentrate and decreased operational costs.
The main Steinert offering here is its High-Speed Dry Drum( STEINERT HSDD) which delivers a strong ability to beneficiate the iron ore minerals, which typically would contain high amounts of silica. The centrifugal force on the material causes the non-magnetic particles to discharge from the drum.“ The use of High-Speed Dry Drums requires material that is strongly susceptible to magnetism. Therefore, the materials are limited to ferromagnetic ores like magnetite, cobalt and nickel sulphide-type ore bodies.
A major customer is Fortescue, which uses Steinert HSDD tech at its Iron Bridge magnetite operation in Western Australia. After successful production of the wet concentrate at the Iron Bridge site, it is transported via a 135-km specialised slurry pipeline to Port Hedland, where dewatering and material handling results in a highquality magnetite product suitable for steelmaking.
Custom designed and built, Steinert’ s magnetic dry drum separators suit various mining industry applications and processing requirements, which are developed with either our high strength rare earth magnetic element( MIMS) or low intensity magnetic element( LIMS).“ These High Speed Magnetic Dry Drums can be utilised to produce magnetite concentrate and can be used to process minerals at up to 100 % higher capacity than conventional dry drum separators- due to our unique drum construction and feeding arrangements.”
This dry technology solution can be used to preconcentrate ferromagnetic particles
or eliminate ferromagnetic particles before high-intensity magnetic separation. They can also be utilised to control iron contamination in glass sand production.
Steinert Wet Drum Separators are needed in a milling circuit to upgrade the concentration of the ferromagnetic ores. Grinding mills handle size reduction, and the ferromagnetic mineral is liberated from the gangue in the size reduction process. The typical solids concentration to the rougher STEINERT WDB is between 30 to 40 % solids W / W and works best at 35 % solids W / W.
Moving to dewatering solutions for magnetite, traditionally, the concentrate is pumped from the finisher magnetic separator to the thickener. The underflow from the thickener would then be pumped to the filters, and the conveyor would transport the concentrated to the stockpile. The alternative solution to using thickening tanks is the use of dewatering drums. Once the material passes the magnet, the concentrate layer detaches from the drum and into the concentrate discharge chute. They are installed above the filters and have a positive impact on the size and power demand needed to dry the material to less than 8 % moisture.
Steinert dewatering drums it says have
Derrick at frontier of fine screening technology
As Derrick Corporation approaches its 75th anniversary in 2026, the company told IM it is not simply reflecting on its legacy- it is demonstrating how fine screening technology is reshaping what modern mineral processing circuits can deliver. With ore grades declining, energy intensity rising, and ESG pressures mounting, high‐precision classification has become a critical lever for improving plant performance. Derrick argues that increasingly, fine screening is viewed not as a secondary option to hydrocyclones, but as a means of pushing the frontier of throughput, efficiency, and product quality.
At the core of Derrick’ s wet sizing portfolio is the SuperStack ®, an eight‐deck, high‐capacity system now firmly established across iron ore, potash, phosphate, rare earth elements, and industrial minerals operations worldwide. By delivering sharper cut points, reducing overgrinding, and lowering circulating loads, SuperStack has helped operators stabilise grinding circuits and enhance downstream recovery. The company adds:“ And innovation at Derrick never pauses. The company will soon introduce the next evolution of the SuperStack platform, designed to increase both hydraulic capacity and precision classification. The upcoming generation will deliver ~ 10 % higher capacity through optimised flow distribution and redesigned cutting-edge surface technology, alongside a + 2 % improvement in classification efficiency.”
These gains are enabled by Derrick’ s Trilogy™ third‐generation screen surface, engineered with tapered openings, a robust integrated support structure, high open area, and non‐blinding geometry. Enhanced sealing further reduces bypass and short‐circuiting, ensuring consistent separation even under variable feed conditions.
While wet sizing technology has advanced rapidly, solidliquid separation has remained largely unchanged for decades. Derrick’ s Dual Pool ® technology it says represents a fundamental rethinking of dewatering screen design. Its dual concave bed improves slurry centering and drainage, producing drier product, higher capacity within the same footprint, and greater operational stability. A rapid‐compression tensioning system allows screen panels to be changed in under 45 seconds, and Trilogy™ surfaces maintain open area and wear life under high loading. Field trials across multiple commodities have confirmed these benefits.“ In one recent benchmark, a DP815 achieved 20 %+ more capacity and a markedly drier product compared with a previous‐generation Derrick unit- demonstrating the step‐change performance of the DP800 Series.”
Derrick will soon introduce the next evolution of the SuperStack platform, designed to increase both hydraulic capacity and precision classification
To support industry adoption and reduce project risk, Derrick has opened the DEX ® Center in Buffalo, New York- a full‐scale testing and training facility that gives customers direct visibility into equipment performance on their own materials.“ As Derrick celebrates its 75‐year milestone, the DEX Center underscores the company’ s commitment to data‐driven collaboration and to advancing the next generation of fine separation technology.”
22 International Mining | MARCH 2026