METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A CONGLOMERATE

摘要

A conglomerate processing apparatus is provided for processing a conglomerat e of recoverable particles bound together by a binding medium, such as a conglomerate (20) of diamondiferous ore embedded in clay. The apparatus comprises a moving belt conveyer (12) having an upstream end for receiving t he conglomerate, a downstream end, and a first upstream array of fragmenting nozzles (44A) for directing a corresponding series of fragmenting fluid jets (48) onto the conglomerate (20) to break it up. A second downstream array of eroding nozzles (46A) is provided for directing a corresponding series of fanned eroding fluid jets (50) for eroding the clay from the broken up conglomerate to expose the individual diamondiferous ore particles (54). The invention extends to a method of processing a conglomerate.