Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation Related to Mineral Processing

The information provided in this section is intended to outline only features of the techniques related to selected applications in the mineral processing industry. For more detailed information on these techniques and instrumentation, please refer to our main page.

Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)

  • Compositional depth profiles of surface coatings on mineral grains from down stream products in pressure oxidation (POX), cyanide leaching or flotation circuits
  • Characterization of oxidation/passivation layers on mineral particles

Dynamic Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (D-SIMS)

  • Quantitative analysis of precious metals (Au, Ag, Pd, Pt, Rh…) in feed samples and/or process stream products
  • Quantitative analysis of other trace elements in minerals: Ni, Co, As, Pb, Hg, Sb, Se…
  • Mapping trace element distributions in minerals
  • Quantitative analysis of sub-microscopic gold (solid solution and colloidal-type) in sulphide minerals
  • Characterization of the carriers and forms of gold:  quantitative analysis and distribution
  • Identification of specific causes for gold losses in the process stream products from  roaster and autoclave pressure oxidation AC POX/CIL circuits

Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy

  • Mineral composition of an ore sample
  • Mineral liberation analysis
  • Identification and characterization of surface coatings on mineral particles from process stream samples

Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS)

  • Identification of collectors on individual mineral particles from plant samples. The identification is based on detection of unfragmented molecular ions
  • Measurements of collector loadings on mineral grains from flotation circuits at plant concentration levels. Practical detection limits less than 1g/t
  • Identification of activators and depressants on mineral particles. Comparative analysis on the degree of activation/depression of mineral phases from flotation products
  • Characterization and mapping of surface coatings on gold grains from cyanidation leach residues
  • Characterization of gold in carbonaceous matter from AC/CIL residue products

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)

  • Characterization of surface coatings on mineral grains
  • Imaging for mineral phase selection