X-Ray Separation uses X-rays to detect diamonds and which mechanism to remove them from the ore?

X-Ray Separation uses X-rays to detect diamonds and which mechanism to remove them from the ore?

• A. An air jet to remove them from the ore.
• B. A water jet to remove them from the ore.
• C. A magnetic separator to remove them from the ore.
• D. A conveyor belt to remove them from the ore.

Answer: (A)

X-ray separation identifies diamonds in ore and then uses a quick air pulse to eject those diamonds from the stream into a separate collection. The air jet is ideal because it is fast, non-contact, and won’t wet or mix the diamonds with surrounding rock, allowing clean diversion as the material moves along. A water jet would create a slurry and could cause diamonds to be lost or misshaped; magnetic separation isn’t effective since diamonds are not attracted to magnets; a conveyor belt alone only transports material and doesn’t perform the separation itself.

X-ray separation identifies diamonds in ore and then uses a quick air pulse to eject those diamonds from the stream into a separate collection. The air jet is ideal because it is fast, non-contact, and won’t wet or mix the diamonds with surrounding rock, allowing clean diversion as the material moves along. A water jet would create a slurry and could cause diamonds to be lost or misshaped; magnetic separation isn’t effective since diamonds are not attracted to magnets; a conveyor belt alone only transports material and doesn’t perform the separation itself.