Spiral chutes are among the most widely used equipment in gravity separation. With their simple structure, stable operation, low energy consumption and high processing capacity, they have become the preferred choice for separating gold, iron, tin, tungsten, ilmenite and many other ores. However, many mining companies face confusion when selecting models: What diameter spiral chute should I choose for different ore types? How many starts work best? How to determine the configuration based on processing capacity and ore grade?
As a professional manufacturer with 15 years of experience in mining equipment manufacturing, the YTO technical team has compiled this latest and most comprehensive spiral chute selection guide for 2026, based on thousands of actual project cases. This guide will help you avoid common selection mistakes and achieve optimal mineral processing results.
1. Working Principle and Application Scope of Spiral Chutes
Working Principle
A spiral chute separates mineral particles based on density differences under the combined action of gravity, centrifugal force and water flow friction. Ore pulp is fed from the upper end of the spiral trough and moves in a spiral motion along the trough surface. Denser mineral particles gradually migrate toward the inner edge of the trough, while lighter gangue moves toward the outer edge. They are finally collected separately through interceptors at different positions, achieving mineral separation.
Application Scope
✅ Best for ores: Metallic and non-metallic ores with a density difference greater than 1.6 g/cm³
✅ Optimal particle size range: 0.02mm ~ 0.3mm (best performance for fine-grained ores)
✅ Optimal pulp concentration: 20% ~ 40%
✅ Typical applications: Gold, placer gold, iron ore, ilmenite, zircon, tin ore, tungsten ore, tantalum-niobium ore, etc.
2. Five Core Factors Affecting Spiral Chute Selection
2.1 Ore Properties (Most Critical Factor)
| Ore Parameter | Selection Principle |
| Ore density difference | Larger density difference allows larger diameter spiral chutes. For difficult-to-separate ores with small density differences, recommend small diameter, multi-stage spiral chutes. |
| Ore particle size distribution | Coarse fraction (0.1-0.3mm): Φ1200, Φ1500 large diameter spiral chutesMedium-fine fraction (0.04-0.1mm): Φ900, Φ1200 spiral chutesFine fraction (0.02-0.04mm): Φ600, Φ900 small diameter spiral chutes |
| Run-of-mine grade | Low-grade ores: Multi-start spiral chutes with high processing capacity to increase outputHigh-grade ores: Single or double-start spiral chutes with high separation accuracy to improve recovery |
| Mud content | When mud content exceeds 10%, desliming treatment is required first, otherwise separation efficiency will be severely affected. |
2.2 Processing Capacity Requirements
Processing capacity mainly depends on diameter and number of starts. Standard processing capacities for YTO spiral chute models:
| Model | Diameter (mm) | Number of Starts | Capacity per Unit (t/h) | Suitable Scale |
| YTO-LL600 | 600 | 1-2 | 0.5-2 | Laboratory, small-scale mines |
| YTO-LL900 | 900 | 2-3 | 2-6 | Small to medium-scale mines |
| YTO-LL1200 | 1200 | 3-4 | 6-15 | Medium-scale mines |
| YTO-LL1500 | 1500 | 4-6 | 15-30 | Large-scale mines |
2.3 Installation Space and Site Conditions
- Large diameter spiral chutes (Φ1200, Φ1500) are relatively tall (about 5-6 meters) and require sufficient vertical space
- Multi-start spiral chutes occupy more floor area, suitable for mines with spacious sites
- For limited space or mobile operations, choose modular combined spiral chutes or mobile mineral processing plants
2.4 Process Flow Configuration
- Rougher operation: Multi-start spiral chutes with high processing capacity to increase output
- Cleaner operation: Single or double-start spiral chutes with high separation accuracy to improve concentrate grade
- Scavenger operation: Large diameter spiral chutes to improve recovery rate
- For difficult-to-separate ores, recommend a combined process of “spiral chute + shaking table” for optimal results
2.5 Investment Budget
- Small diameter spiral chutes have lower initial cost, suitable for small mines with limited budget
- Large diameter multi-start spiral chutes have lower unit processing cost and better long-term economic benefits
- YTO provides various configuration options that can be flexibly adjusted according to customer budget
3. Optimal Selection Solutions for Different Ore Types
3.1 Placer Gold (Most Common Application)
- Ore characteristics: Large density difference (gold density 19.3 g/cm³), relatively fine particle size, high mud content
- Recommended models: YTO-LL900-3 starts or YTO-LL1200-4 starts
- Configuration flow: Desliming cone → Spiral chute rougher → Spiral chute cleaner → Shaking table final cleaning
- Processing effect: Gold recovery rate can reach over 85%, concentrate grade can be increased by 10-20 times
3.2 Iron Ore
- Ore characteristics: Medium density difference (magnetite 5.2 g/cm³, hematite 5.0 g/cm³), wide particle size range
- Recommended models: YTO-LL1200-4 starts or YTO-LL1500-6 starts
- Configuration flow: Crusher → Ball mill → Classifier → Spiral chute separation
- Processing effect: Iron concentrate grade can reach over 60%, recovery rate 70%-80%
3.3 Ilmenite
- Ore characteristics: Relatively large density difference (4.5-5.0 g/cm³), uniform particle size, good separation effect
- Recommended models: YTO-LL1200-3 starts or YTO-LL1200-4 starts
- Configuration flow: Crushing & screening → Grinding & classification → Spiral chute rougher → Magnetic separation cleaner
- Processing effect: Titanium concentrate grade can reach over 48%, recovery rate 75%-85%
3.4 Tin Ore & Tungsten Ore
- Ore characteristics: High density (cassiterite 7.0 g/cm³, wolframite 7.5 g/cm³), relatively fine particle size
- Recommended models: YTO-LL900-2 starts or YTO-LL1200-3 starts
- Configuration flow: Crushing → Grinding → Classification → Spiral chute rougher → Shaking table cleaner
- Processing effect: Tin and tungsten concentrate grade can reach over 60%, recovery rate 70%-80%
4. Advantages of YTO Spiral Chutes
As a professional spiral chute manufacturer in China, Jiangxi Yituo (YTO) offers products with the following unique advantages:
- Premium Materials: Made of thickened fiberglass with wear-resistant rubber lining, service life increased by more than 30% compared to ordinary products
- Precision Design: Optimized spiral trough cross-section and inclination based on different ore properties for higher separation accuracy
- Modular Structure: Flexible combination of starts and stages according to customer requirements, easy installation and maintenance
- Customized Services: Provide exclusive selection and configuration solutions based on customer’s ore properties and processing capacity requirements
- Complete Service Chain: One-stop service from equipment manufacturing, installation and commissioning to personnel training
5. Common Selection Mistakes and Solutions
Mistake 1: The larger the diameter, the better
Many customers believe that larger diameter means higher processing capacity and better performance. In fact, for fine-grained difficult-to-separate ores, large diameter spiral chutes actually have lower separation accuracy than small diameter ones.
Solution: Choose the appropriate diameter based on ore particle size. For fine-grained ores, prioritize Φ900 or Φ600 models.
Mistake 2: The more starts, the better
While multi-start spiral chutes have higher processing capacity, they reduce the separation accuracy of each individual start.
Solution: Use multi-start chutes for rougher operations to increase output, and single or double-start chutes for cleaner operations to improve accuracy.
Mistake 3: Only considering price, not quality
Low-priced spiral chutes often use inferior materials, resulting in short service life, poor separation effect and higher long-term operating costs.
Solution: Choose reputable and experienced manufacturers, and comprehensively consider equipment quality, performance and after-sales service.
6. Important Selection Notes
- Conduct mineral processing tests first: For complex and difficult-to-separate ores, we recommend sending ore samples to our company for free mineral processing tests. The optimal selection plan will be determined based on test results.
- Consider future development: Reserve appropriate production capacity when selecting models to avoid equipment shortage during later expansion.
- Value after-sales service: Choose manufacturers that can provide timely technical support and after-sales service to ensure long-term stable operation of equipment.
- Overall process flow: Spiral chutes are only part of the mineral processing line. They must be properly configured with other equipment to achieve optimal results.
7. YTO Professional Selection Services
If you are unsure which spiral chute is best for your mine, please contact the technical engineers at Jiangxi Yituo Mining Equipment. We will provide you with:
- ✅ Free mineral processing tests
- ✅ One-on-one professional selection guidance
- ✅ Complete mineral processing plant design solutions
- ✅ Equipment installation, commissioning and personnel training
- ✅ Lifetime technical support
