Scientists are working on a new range of materials
characterization analyzers and techniques that could help unlock the value
contained in Australia’s
mineral deposits and improve processing performance, according to the October
issue of Process.
Machine-mounted sensors, being developed through CSIRO
Minerals Down Under Flagship, could help locate ore deposits, characterize the
mining environment, and differentiate ore grades.
This will enable automated mining machines to respond
‘intelligently’ to the changing detail of the environment and offer real-time
amendments to the mine plan.
Another prototype in development combines the best features
of two existing materials characterization techniques – x-ray diffraction and
x-ray fluorescence – into a new slurry analyzer.
The new prototype, dubbed XRDF for its dual origins, is
capable of measuring both mineralogy and ultra-low elemental composition
directly on a process-stream, without the need for labor-intensive,
time-consuming and potentially error-prone sampling.
CSIRO scientist Dr James Tickner said the new prototype
could offer a number of benefits over existing on-stream analyzers.
“We’re not aware of any other system capable of doing
accurate, on-stream mineralogy,” Dr Tickner said.
“The ability to detect elements at parts-per-billion levels
in an on-stream system is unique.”
“We’re not aware of any other system capable of doing
accurate, on-stream mineralogy,”
Dr Tickner said.
Dr Tickner and his team are also working on gamma-activation
analysis – a new analysis method that may deliver all the benefits of neutron
activation without the need for a nuclear reactor.
The method is expected to provide accurate, multi-element
analysis of mineral samples without extensive sample preparation, and measure
very low levels of more than 30 elements in samples weighing just a few hundred
grams.
The method could significantly improve sampling accuracy.
Original
article
SOURCE: CSIRO
