The invention pertains to a process for separating mixtures of finely divided materials consisting of non-ferromagnetic particles and ferromagnetic particles with a maximum particle size of up to 1 mm by means of a magnetic field. The mixture is conveyed in a transport direction over a conveyor surface; magnetic fields with constantly changing field direction are produced by a moving magnetic system with alternating poles (N, S) situated on the underside of the conveyor surface, and the mixture migrates on the conveyor surface over the magnetic fields produced by the magnetic system in the transport direction. When the ferromagnetic particles pass through the magnetic field above the conveyor surface they are attracted to the conveyor surface by the magnetic field and, depending on the size of the ferromagnetic particles and/or the alternating speed of the magnetic system, the ferromagnetic particles are deflected and discharged counter to or in the direction of movement of the magnetic system, out of the transport direction of the mixture.