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What particle sizes work best for magnetic separation?

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mineral processing Schematic diagram of a flotation separation cell.

In the context of mineral processing, magnetic separation is most effective when the feed particles fall within a specific size range of 0.1 to 1 millimetre.1

This process relies on the varying degrees of attraction that different minerals exhibit when exposed to magnetic fields. Depending on the magnetic properties of the material, different types of equipment are utilized:1

Low-intensity magnetic separators: These are typically used to remove strongly magnetic minerals, such as magnetite, pyrrhotite, and franklinite, from gangue minerals.1
High-intensity devices: These are employed for separating weakly magnetic materials, including iron-bearing silicates, titanium, manganese, and tungsten ores, as well as oxide iron ores like siderite and limonite.1