Mirny Polytechnic Institute–Division of the Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Mirny, Russia

I. V. Zyryanov, Head of Department, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences

Yakutniproalmaz Institute, ALROSA, Mirny, Russia

V. N. Yakovlev, Head of Radiometric Separation Laboratory
A. V. Ivanov, Head of Radiometric Separation Laboratory
I. A. Makalin, Senior Researcher at Radiometric Separation Laboratory, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, MakalinIA@alrosa.ru

History of domestic radiometric separators is described. It is emphasized that starting from the early introduction in process circuits of concentration factories, X-ray machines undergo persistent improvement—from simple manned mechanisms to totally automated systems. New models of separators use the latest science and technology achievements, advanced electronic equipment and digital signal processing, which, alongside with high engineering performance and production data, allows convenient integration of the separators with the current systems of automated production process control, and enables process monitoring and management via remote communication channels. The developed method of diamond recovery from tailings includes processing of feedstock by luminophorebearing emulsion to modify X-ray luminescence properties of weak-fluorescent diamonds and for their selective identification in X-ray luminescence separators. The tests of the updated plant with a nanosecond electromagnetic source at Impuls-U LLC with a view to identifying diamonds in kimberlite at higher than 95 % probabilities show that diamonds 2 mm in size and larger are identified by the automated identification program at any locations in kimberlite particles 50 mm in size and smaller in a speed range of sample transfer from 1 to 7 m/s at a focal length of 850 mm at the probability of 100 %. It is planned further to introduce high-capacity polyenergetic separators and separators based on different contrast properties of diamonds and associate components. This can enhance efficiency of processing and after-treatment of diamond-bearing ores.

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