Device for and method of separating particles

A device ( 32 ) is provided for separating particles in a material ( 34 ), the particles having different conductivities. The device ( 32 ) comprises a feeder ( 36 ) for accommodating the material ( 34 ), the feeder ( 36 ) defining an outlet opening ( 38 ). Charging means ( 40 ) is located within the feeder ( 36 ) and proximate the opening ( 38 ) of the feeder ( 36 ), the charging means ( 40 ) being arranged to directly charge the particles. The device ( 32 ) further includes a rotatable drum ( 42 ) that is located adjacent the opening ( 38 ) of the feeder ( 36 ). In use, the charging means ( 40 ) is arranged to produce a cloud of similarly charged particles that leave the feeder ( 36 ) via the opening ( 38 ) and land on the drum ( 42 ) substantially as a monolayer, with conductive particles ( 48 ) subsequently losing their charge to the drum ( 42 ) and thus falling off, while the insulative/less conductive particles ( 50 ) remain charged and thus attracted to the surface of the drum ( 42 ) so as to be removed further on in the rotation of the drum ( 42 ).