There is an increasing demand from customers to test the capability of the continuous IPJ gravity device to pre-concentrate polymetallic ores. In many cases the test work combines fine crushing (eg VSI) with the IPJ.
The uniqueness of the IPJ allows it to be used in applications where there is a broad range of particle sizes. Polymetallics have not been a target for traditional batch gravity separation devices. However, they have shown excellent results with continuous coarse gravity separation.

For example, at Silver Standard’s Pirquitas mine in Argentina, a modular nest of IPJs was installed in 2011 for pre-concentration of silver, tin and zinc ahead of the milling circuit. At a coarse crush size of ~12mm, the ore was upgraded by 100% using the IPJ.
at Silver Standard’s Pirquitas mine in Argentina, a modular nest of IPJs was installed in 2011 for pre-concentration of silver, tin and zinc ahead of the milling circuit
The graph (right) indicates the gravity recovery performance for a polymetallic sample tested at Gekko’s metallurgical facility in Central Victoria, Australia.
The results reflect up to 40% of the mass could be rejected at -8mm +4mm and still retain 90-96% of the polymetallics.