Magnetic separation is a process used to separate magnetic materials from non-magnetic ones. It involves using a magnetic field to attract and remove magnetic particles from a mixture. This technique is commonly used in industries such as mining and recycling to purify materials and recover valuable resources. The process typically employs magnets or magnetic separators, which can be designed in various forms, such as belts or drums. Iron, nickel, and cobalt are examples of magnetic materials that can be effectively separated, while non-magnetic materials like sand or plastic remain unaffected.