Abstract: A combination electromagnet and permanent magnet separator is disclosed made up of a rotatable non-magnetic drum made of a suitable metalic material (stainless steel). A magnet assembly in the drum, which includes the electromagnet and permanent magnets. The drum can be rotated at a position near the upper end of an inclined belt conveyor carrying ferrous and non-ferrous material. The belt discharges the non-ferrous material into a first chute. The ferrous material is picked out of the non-ferrous material by magnetic force from the electromagnet and attracted to the surface of the drum. The force from the electromagnet holds the ferrous material to the drum, which carries the ferrous material into the field of the permanent magnet, which continues to hold the ferrous material to the drum and as the drum moves the ferrous material out of the field of the permanent magnet, the ferrous material is released and dropped into a second chute.