beneficiation
noun
ben·e·fi·ci·a·tion
ˌbe-nə-ˌfi-shē-ˈā-shən 
: the treatment of raw material (such as iron ore) to improve physical or chemical properties especially in preparation for smelting
Examples of beneficiation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sorted glass then goes through beneficiation to remove any contamination, such as bottle caps, labels, or metals.
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Maria Marabito, Treehugger, 6 Apr. 2023
Copper mines use water for flotation beneficiation – the process of crushing ore and separating useless minerals – smelting and electro-refining.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2021
Maria Marabito, Treehugger, 6 Apr. 2023
Copper mines use water for flotation beneficiation – the process of crushing ore and separating useless minerals – smelting and electro-refining.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beneficiation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1881, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near beneficiation
Cite this Entry
“Beneficiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beneficiation. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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