Eddy current separation aims to recover non-ferrous metals from non-metals utilizing electromagnetic interactions. In order to describe the separation process, a representative model is needed that can accurately calculate the induced forces. Such a model can be used to optimize the efficiency of current equipment as well as designing ones that can offer new capabilities. Models proposed so far for the separation process, using traditional approaches to calculate forces, had limited success due to complex nature of electromagnetic interactions. In this dissertation, a novel method for calculating the magnetic force acting on non-ferrous metal particles was developed. By this method, force calculations can be carried out accurately using intrinsic parameters of particles such as size and shape, as well as its orientation within the field. The method also takes into account the operating parameters of the equipment such as the rotational speed of the magnetic element and the speed of the belt. In order to verify this method and collect empirical data, a novel data acquisition and interpretation approach was developed. A computer simulator was also developed that can calculate trajectories of particles based on operating parameters of the eddy current separator and characteristics of the material being processed. The accuracy of the simulator was verified using empirical data obtained by the novel data acquisition method. This contribution provides a viable option for reducing the cost of analyzing; optimizing and designing eddy current separators. / PHD / As technological advances in chemistry, material science, engineering and manufacturing lead to building of items with smaller parts and complex components, recycling them is becoming more challenging. Production of raw materials, especially metals, from fresh ores in mining has become a challenge due to rising costs and depletion of high grade deposits. Thus, in order to sustain growth of the economy and advances in technology, recycling is of utmost importance. Iron and iron containing metal alloys such as steel can easily be separated with magnets. In order to separate metals that do not contain iron, such as aluminum, copper, brass, lead and zinc, eddy current separators are used. Until now, it was not possible to define the separation process as a whole fundamentally based on the characteristics of particles and operating parameters of eddy current separators. In this research, new methods to analyze the separation process as well as a new technique to calculate the magnetic force acting on metal particles were developed. These will provide great help to optimize current equipment and raise the efficiencies of operations and at the same time serve as a tool to design new and better equipment to increase overall recycling performance.