High intensity magnetic separation for the clean-up of a site polluted by lead metallurgy

► We conducted a soil washing feasibility study at a Pb mining-metallurgy site. ► Soil contained heavy metals associated with lead slag fragments. ► Magnetic characterization of the slag shows a weak ferro/ferri magnetic response. ► Dry high intensity magnetic separation was successful for sands. ► Wet high intensity magnetic separation was effective for finer fractions.