An apparatus causes magnetic separation of a first component having relatively strongly magnetic properties from a mixture containing it and at least one other component having relatively weak magnetic properties. Included are a rotatable magnetic source configured for generation of a predetermined non-uniform magnetic field at a predetermined distance from an axis of rotation of the magnetic source, thereby creating a magnetic field region while rotating in a first predetermined direction, and also a rotatable shell mounted around the magnetic source. The rotatable shell is configured for rotating concentrically with the magnetic source in a second predetermined direction to form a conveying channel within the magnetic field region. The conveying channel is configured for conveying the first component within the magnetic field region owing to the attraction of the first component to the exterior surface of the rotatable tubular shell by the magnetic field developed by the rotatable magnetic source.