Skip to main content
Log in

Modern Analytical Methods and Research Procedures for Mineral Processing Engineering Summary

  • NEW METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS IN MINING
  • Published:
Journal of Mining Science Aims and scope

Abstract

The rapid development of technology and engineering in recent years caused the need to adopt an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to mineral processing engineering. The relationships between mineralogical characteristics of the raw material and the efficiency and effectiveness of its processing and beneficiation processes become vital, especially concerning selecting processing technologies. Mineralogy determines the energy consumption of grinding processes but also the conditions of the process such as flotation (type and number of reagents, flotation time, environmental parameters of the slurry, etc.) The article shows modern methods of process mineralogy used in the processing of mineral resources at the stage of the process design, its optimization and diagnosis of technical problems in the beneficiation process. Research strategies used in diagnosing issues associated with the processing in the beneficiation plants are discussed as well as research procedures and analysis methods supported by modern process mineralogy tools (QEMSCAN, MLA, EPMA, TOF-SIMS), which constitute modern mineral engineering characterized by an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to processing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Sutherland, D.N., Image Analysis for Off-Line Characterization of Mineral Particles and Prediction of Processing Properties, Particle Particle Syst. Charact., 1993, 10, pp. 271–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Gottlieb, P., Wilkie, G., Sutherland, D.N., Ho-Tun, E., Suthers, S., Perera, K., Jenkins, B., Spencer S., Butcher, A., and Rayner, J., Using Quantitative Electron Microscopy for Process Mineralogy Applications, YOM, 2000, 52 (4), pp. 24–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Gu, Y., Automated Scanning Electron Microscope Based Mineral Liberation Analysis, JOM, 2003, 2 (1), pp. 33–41.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Fandrich, R., Gu, Y., Burrows, D., and Moeller, K., Modern SEM-Based Mineral Liberation Analysis, Int. J. Miner. Proc., 2007, 84 (1–4), pp. 310–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lotter, N.O., Whittaker, P.J., Kormos, L.J., Stickling, J.S., and Wilkie, G.J., The Development of Process Mineralogy at Falconbridge Limited, and Application to the Raglan Mill, CIM Bull., 2002, 95 (1066), pp. 85–92.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lotter, N.O., Kowal, D.L., Tuzun, M.A., Whittaker, P.J., and Kormos, L.J., Sampling and Flotation Testing of Sudbury Basin Drill Core for Process Mineralogy Modeling, Miner. Eng., 2003, 16, pp. 857–864.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Fragomeni, D., Boyd, L.J., Charland, A., Kormos, L.J., Lotter, N.O., and Potts, G., The Use of End-Members for Grind-Recovery Modeling, Tonnage Prediction and Flowsheet Development at Raglan, Proc. Canadian Mineral Processors, 2005, Paper No. 6, pp. 75–98.

  8. Charland, A., Kormos, L.J., Whittaker, P.J., Arrué-Canales, C.A., Fragomeni, D., Lotter N.O., Mackey, P., and Anes, J., A Case Study for the Integrated Use of Automated Mineralogy in Plant Optimization: The Montcalm Concentrator, Proc. Automated Mineralogy, MEI Conference, Brisbane, 2006.

  9. Dai, Z., Bos, J.-A., Lee, A., and Wells, P., Mass Balance and Mineralogical Analysis of Flotation Plant Survey Samples to Improve Plant Metallurgy, Minerals Engineering—Flotation 2007, 2008, Special 21st ed., pp. 826–831.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. McKay, N., Wilson, S., and Lacouture, B., Ore Characterization of the Aqqaluk Deposit at Red Dog, Proc. Canadian Mineral Processors, 2007, Paper No. 5, pp. 55–74.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Triffett, B., Veloo, C., Adair, B.J.I., and Bradshaw, D.J., An Investigation into the Recovery of Molybdenite in the Kennecott Utah Copper Bulk Flotation Circuit, Minerals Engineering—Flotation 2007, 2008, Special 21st ed., 2008, pp. 832–840.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Schouwstra, R.P. and Smit, A.J., Developments in Mineralogical Techniques—What about Mineralogists?, Miner. Eng., 2011, 24, pp. 1224–1228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Shackleton, N.J., Malysiak, V., and O’Connor, C.T., The Use of Amine Complexes in Managing Inadvertent Activation of Pyroxene in a Pentlandite–Pyroxene Flotation System, Miner. Eng., 2003, 16, pp. 849–856.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Malysiak, V., Shackleton, N.J., and O’Connor, C.T., An Investigation into the Floatability of a Pentlandite–Pyroxene System, Int. J. Miner. Process., 2004, 74, pp. 251–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Martinovic, J., Bradshaw, D.J., and Harris P.J., Investigation of Surface Properties of Gangue Minerals in Platinum Bearing Ores, J. South African Inst. Min. Metall., 2005, 105, pp. 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  16. O’Connor, C.T., Malysiak, V., and Shackleton, N.J., The Interaction of Xanthates and Amines with Pyroxene Activated by Copper and Nickel, Miner. Eng., 2006, 19, pp. 799–806.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Otter, N.O., Bradshaw, D.J., Becker, M., Parolis, L.A.S., and Kormos, L.J., A Discussion of the Occurrence and Undesirable Flotation Behavior of Orthopyroxene and Talc in the Processing of Mafic Deposits, Miner. Eng., 2008, 21, pp. 905–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. www.outotec.com.

  19. www.mols.fi.

  20. www.ima.fi.

  21. www.thermoscientific.com.

  22. www.sodern.com.

  23. www.asdi.com.

  24. www.specim.fi/files/pdf/sisu/datasheets/SisuCHEMA 1 2011.pdf.

  25. Bonifazi, G, Cesare, D., and Serranti, S., Hyperspectral Imaging Applied to Minerals Processing: Procedures, Architectures and Analytical Strategies, The 26th International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC 2012), 2012, vol. 276.

  26. Gy, P.M., Sampling of Particulate Materials, Theory and Practice. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Middleditch, D. and Lotter, N.O., Laboratory Quality Standards Manual, Xstrata Process Support Internal Document, May 13, 2008, pp. 14–16.

  28. Lotter, N.O., Stratified Sampling of Drill Core, Proc. Canadian Mineral Processors, 2010, Paper No 11, pp. 163–179.

  29. Bartlett, H.E. and Hawkins, D., The Extractive Metallurgy of Gold in South Africa, Stanley, G. (Ed.), Process Control. SAIMM Monograph, vol. 2 (Chapter 13), 1989.

  30. Lotter, N.O. and Fragomeni, D., High-Confidence Flotation Testing at Xstrata Process Support, J. Miner. Metall. Process., 2010, 27 (1), pp. 47–54.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Lotter, N.O., Kowal, D.L., Tuzun, M.A., Whittaker, P.J., and Kormos, L.J., Sampling and Flotation Testing of Sudbury Basin Drill Core for Process Mineralogy Modeling, Miner. Eng., 2003, 16, pp. 857–864.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Fragomeni, D., Boyd, L.J., Charland, A., Kormos, L.J., Lotter, N.O., and Potts, G., The Use of End-Members for Grind-Recovery Modeling, Tonnage Prediction and Flowsheet Development at Raglan, Proc. Canadian Mineral Processors, 2005, Paper No. 6, pp. 75–98.

  33. Lotter, N.O., A Quality Control Model for the Development of High-Confidence Flotation Test Data. M.Sc. Chem. Eng. Thesis, University of Cape Town, June 1995.

  34. Fragomeni, D. and Lotter, N.O., Personal Communication, Falconbridge, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Box, G.E.P., Hunter, W.G., and Hunter, J.S., Statistics for Experimenters, Wiley, New York, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Deng, T., Yu, S., Lotter, N.O., and Di Feo, A., Laboratory Testwork of Mixed Xanthates for the Raglan Ore, Proc. Canadian Mineral Processors, 2010, No. 16, pp. 253–268.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Fragomeni, D., Hoffman, M., Kelly, A., Yu, S., and Lotter, N.O., Flotation Mini Pilot Plant Experience at Falconbridge Limited, Proc. Mineral Process Modelling, Simulation and Control, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada, 2006, pp. 329–355.

  38. DiFeo, A., Mini Pilot Plant Craig Ore—DNBX, Falconbridge Technology Centre, Internal Memo, 2006.

  39. Yu, S., Fragomeni, D., 06 Nickel Rim South Mini Pilot Flotation Plant Campaign Report, Falconbridge Technology Centre Internal Report, 2006.

  40. Ouellet, N. and Fragomeni, D., Design Basis Summary for the Kabanga Plant, XPS Final Report, 2007.

  41. Norman, O., and Lotter, N.O., Modern Process Mineralogy: An Integrated Multi-Disciplined Approach to Flowsheeting, Minerals Engineering, 2011, 24, pp. 1229–1237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Lotter N.O., Statistical Benchmark Surveying of Production Concentrators, Ph.D. Met. Eng. Thesis, McGill University, Montréal, 2005.

  43. Lotter, N.O. and Laplante, A.R., Statistical Benchmark Surveying of Production Concentrators, Miner. Eng., 2007, 20, pp. 793–801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Lotter, N.O. and Laplante, A.R., The Campaign Survey Model—A Case Study at the Raglan Mine, Québec, Miner. Eng., 2007, 20, pp. 480–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Xiao, Z., Lockhart, C., and Reynolds, J., Statistical Applications in Planning and Analyzing Plant Flotation Trials of Evaluating a Collector, Int. J. Miner. Proc., 2009, 92 (3–4), pp. 196–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to D. Krawczykowski or D. Kolodziej.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Krawczykowski, D., Kolodziej, D. Modern Analytical Methods and Research Procedures for Mineral Processing Engineering Summary. J Min Sci 57, 1075–1087 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062739121060205

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062739121060205

Keywords

Navigation