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In the mining industry beneficiation or benefication in extractive metallurgy, is any process that improves (benefits) the economic value of the ore by removing the gangue minerals, which results in a higher grade product (concentrate) and a waste stream (tailings). Exemplary beneficiation processes are froth flotation[1] and gravity separation.

Other economic uses of the term are in use. For example, in the diamond industry, the beneficiation imperative argues that cutting and polishing (processes within the diamond value chain) should be conducted in-country to maximise the local economic contribution.[2]

See also[edit]


  1. ^
  2. ^ "Beneficiation". Department of Mineral Resources, Republic of South Africa. 

Further reading[edit]