Modern Process Mineralogy: Two case studies

Lotter, N.O.; Kormos, L.J.; Oliveira, José Farias de; Fragomeni, D.; Whiteman, Elizabeth Fuller

doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2011.02.017

Cited by 54 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Geometallurgy enables the derivation of geologically-based predictive models for minerals processing that can assist plant design and promote efficient exploitation of mineral resources (e.g., [174][175][176][177]). Geometallurgy requires an interdisciplinary approach and widespread application of automated mineralogy, expanding traditional ore mineralogy into new spheres of economic relevance.…”

Section: New Sub-disciplinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and Opportunities in Ore Mineralogy

et al. 2017

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Abstract:The study of ore minerals is rapidly transforming due to an explosion of new microand nano-analytical technologies. These advanced microbeam techniques can expose the physical and chemical character of ore minerals at ever-better spatial resolution and analytical precision. The insights that can be obtained from ten of today's most important, or emerging, techniques and methodologies are reviewed: laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry; focussed ion beam-scanning electron microscopy; high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy; electron back-scatter diffraction; synchrotron X-ray fluorescence mapping; automated mineral analysis (Quantitative Evaluation of Mineralogy via Scanning Electron Microscopy and Mineral Liberation Analysis); nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry; atom probe tomography; radioisotope geochronology using ore minerals; and, non-traditional stable isotopes. Many of these technical advances cut across conceptual boundaries between mineralogy and geochemistry and require an in-depth knowledge of the material that is being analysed. These technological advances are accompanied by changing approaches to ore mineralogy: the increased focus on trace element distributions; the challenges offered by nanoscale characterisation; and the recognition of the critical petrogenetic information in gangue minerals, and, thus the need to for a holistic approach to the characterization of mineral assemblages. Using original examples, with an emphasis on iron oxide-copper-gold deposits, we show how increased analytical capabilities, particularly imaging and chemical mapping at the nanoscale, offer the potential to resolve outstanding questions in ore mineralogy. Broad regional or deposit-scale genetic models can be validated or refuted by careful analysis at the smallest scales of observation. As the volume of information at different scales of observation expands, the level of complexity that is revealed will increase, in turn generating additional research questions. Topics that are likely to be a focus of breakthrough research over the coming decades include, understanding atomic-scale distributions of metals and the role of nanoparticles, as well how minerals adapt, at the lattice-scale, to changing physicochemical conditions. Most importantly, the complementary use of advanced microbeam techniques allows for information of different types and levels of quantification on the same materials to be correlated.

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Section: New Sub-disciplinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and Opportunities in Ore Mineralogy

et al. 2017

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“…It is used to compare with the actual performance of a mineral concentrator plant and asses its efficiency. See Lotter et al (2011) and Altree-Williams et al (2015) for more details on the use of grade-recovery data. An important type of report is the Assay reconciliation that provides a QA check against an independent chemical assay of a sample.…”

Section: • Elemental Mass Elemental Deportment and Mineralmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automated mineralogy and petrology - applications of TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA)

Hrstka¹,

Gottlieb²,

Skála³

et al. 2018

Jour. Geosci.

165

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The collection of representative modal mineralogy data as well as textural and chemical information on statistically significant samples is becoming essential in many areas of Earth and material sciences. Automated Scanning Electron Microscopy (ASEM) systems provide an ideal solution for such tasks. This paper presents the methods and techniques used in the recently developed TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA-X) with Version 1.5 TIMA software. The benefits from the use of a fully integrated quantitative energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and an advanced statistical approach to ASEM systems are demonstrated. Typically, the system can handle more than 500,000 X-ray events per second. Using a common spectral total of 1000 events this represents the acquisition of 500 spectra per second. A number of measurement modes is available to make the most effective use of these spectra depending on the application. For a back-scattered electrons (BSE) map combined with EDS data with spatial resolution of 10 µm, this represents the high-resolution measurement of c. 1 cm 2 of a thin section or a polished rock surface in 30 minutes. A patented X-ray spectrum clustering algorithm that lowers the chemical detection limit is described and an example of its use is shown. The modal and textural (liberation, association, size etc.) data produced are statistically robust and provide information across a broad range of Earth and material sciences. A comparison with some other available instruments is also provided together with a number of case studies.

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“…The quantification of mineral textural features have become an increasingly important part of mineral processing and geometallurgy [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. In comminution, aspects of mineral texture have been studied and are known to influence rock strength, liberation, product particle size distribution, target grain size, and grindability of the ore [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. More examples of mineral textural influences across mineral processing are also given in flotation [17][18][19][20], leaching [21][22][23] and prediction of acid rock drainage [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Robustness of the Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrices and X-Ray Computed Tomography Method for the Quantification of 3D Mineral Texture

et al. 2020

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Mineral textural quantification methods have become critical in both geosciences and mineral processing as mineral texture is a critical factor contributing to ore variability. However, the lack of objective mineral texture classification has made quantification difficult. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the robustness of applying the gray level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) to 3-dimensional (3D) gray scale images measured by X-ray computed tomography (XCT) for the quantification of mineral texture in 3D. The data quality of the GLCM outputs like statistics, heat maps and histograms in response to changes in XCT conditions such as artefacts, resolution, and calibration was tested. The response of the GLCM outputs with respect to different mineral texture types with anisotropic features and inter-sample variability was also explored. The methodology included testing core sizes of 26, 19, 14, and 6 mm diameter. Calibration was tested using copper and tungsten wires. The study demonstrated the versatility of the method for different sample types. Inter-sample calibration and optimal scanning conditions (quality and integrity) were also demonstrated, and a basic link between the 3D GLCM statistical descriptors with the mineral texture features of rocks was established. The 3D mineral texture method can potentially bypass the XCT segmentation process for direct automation of 3D mineral texture information.

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Modern Process Mineralogy: Two case studies

Cited by 54 publications

References 9 publications

Advances and Opportunities in Ore Mineralogy

Advances and Opportunities in Ore Mineralogy

Automated mineralogy and petrology - applications of TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA)

The Robustness of the Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrices and X-Ray Computed Tomography Method for the Quantification of 3D Mineral Texture

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