X-ray separation is a recovery method that uses X-rays to detect diamonds and an air jet to remove them from ore. Which option correctly describes this method?

X-ray separation is a recovery method that uses X-rays to detect diamonds and an air jet to remove them from ore. Which option correctly describes this method?

• A. A recovery method that uses magnets to separate diamonds
• B. A chemical soaking process to dissolve gangue
• C. A recovery method that uses x-rays to detect diamonds and an air jet to remove them from ore
• D. A manual sorting by hand on a conveyor

Answer: (C)

This method hinges on detecting diamonds with X-rays and then using an air jet to physically separate them from the ore stream. As crushed ore moves along a conveyor or through a separation stage, an X-ray detector analyzes the particles. Diamonds interact with X-rays differently than most surrounding gangue minerals, producing a distinct signal that triggers a sudden air jet to push those diamond-bearing particles out of the main flow into a separate collection line. This gives a fast, automated way to pull diamonds from ore without chemicals or magnets, maximizing recovery and throughput. Other options aren’t correct because magnets don’t attract diamonds, chemical soaking targets gangue dissolution, and manual sorting relies on human labor rather than automated X-ray detection.

This method hinges on detecting diamonds with X-rays and then using an air jet to physically separate them from the ore stream. As crushed ore moves along a conveyor or through a separation stage, an X-ray detector analyzes the particles. Diamonds interact with X-rays differently than most surrounding gangue minerals, producing a distinct signal that triggers a sudden air jet to push those diamond-bearing particles out of the main flow into a separate collection line. This gives a fast, automated way to pull diamonds from ore without chemicals or magnets, maximizing recovery and throughput. Other options aren’t correct because magnets don’t attract diamonds, chemical soaking targets gangue dissolution, and manual sorting relies on human labor rather than automated X-ray detection.