FUNCTION PRINCIPLE

Working Principle

The mineral jig operates using pulsations or pumping actions that cause the material to stratify according to particle size and density. Here’s how the jig works:

1. Feed Introduction:
   • A slurry or mixture of materials is introduced into the jig, typically through a feed box or pipe. The slurry contains particles of varying sizes and densities, including heavier valuable minerals and lighter waste (gangue) material.
2. Pulsing Motion:
   • The jig’s bed or screen is periodically agitated or pulsed by a mechanical diaphragm, piston, or water jets. This pulsing action causes the heavier, denser particles to move downward through the bed, while lighter, less dense particles are displaced upward or remain on the surface.
3. Stratification:
   • As the slurry is pulsated, heavier particles like gold, tin, or other high-density minerals tend to concentrate towards the bottom or deeper layers of the bed, while lighter particles like sand or waste material are carried to the top. This process creates layers or stratification of particles based on density.
4. Formation of Layers:
   • The heavier mineral particles accumulate in a concentrated layer at the bottom, forming a “ragging” or “concentrate” bed, while the lighter material (gangue) is separated and can be discharged through a separate outlet.
5. Discharge:
   • The separated heavy mineral concentrate is collected at the bottom of the jig, and the lighter gangue material is discarded through the upper outlet. The process is repeated in cycles for continuous separation.
6. Recovery and Cleaning:
   • After separation, the recovered concentrate is cleaned and refined to remove any remaining gangue or undesirable material, which can be further processed or discarded. The mineral jig often provides an effective means of upgrading raw ore into a valuable concentrate with a higher mineral content.