02 Ore Mineralogy

Sulfides, Oxides, Hydroxides, Halides, Carbonates, Nitrates, Borates, Sulfates, Chromates, Molybdenates, Tungstates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Vanadates, Silicates

15 Chemical Composition of Minerals

Structural Description:

• Coarse structure, simple shape

Liberation:

• Easy

Structural Description:

• Coarse structure, complex shapes

Liberation:

• Relatively easy

Structural Description:

• Fine structure

• Both phases having continuous complex shapes

Liberation:

• Very difficult

Structural Description:

• Fine isolated phases in continuous matrix

Liberation:

• Difficult

Structural Description:

• Rimmed particles

Liberation:

• Difficult

Structural Description:

• Concentric layered structure

Liberation:

• Difficult

Structural Description:

• Larged veined particles

• Both phases continuous

Liberation:

• Relatively easy

Structural Description:

• Fine layered structure, both phases continuous

Liberation:

• Difficult

Structural Description:

• Fine network struture

• Both phases continuous

Liberation:

• Difficult

Rational of Mineralogy

• Ore is composed of valuable and gangue minerals

• There are complex ores that contain >1 valuable minerals

• Each ore is unique, as a consequence, no standard MP procedure!

Plant Design, Research Programs

A thorough knowledge of Mineralogy is essential for two reasons:

Mineralogical Knowledge

• Grade in terms of valuable mineral

• Grain size

• Combination of minerals present

• Relative form and minerals association

• Existence of trace minerals from the valuable mineral lattice

• Occurrence of minor amounts of potentially valuable minerals

• Occurrence of environmentally hazardous minerals

Mineralogical Examinations

Optical Microscopy:

• Thin-section

• Polished section

Electron Proble Analysis:

• EDX

Ore Microscopy

• Laboratory investigation wherein the output is the mineral form of the valuable minerals and its liberation size

• Involves identification of the mineral form by comparison with known samples of minerals and linear testing under the microscope

Electron Probe Analysis

• A beam of electrons is focused on to a point on the surface of the sample

• The elements being detected both qualitatively and qualitatively by their resulting x-ray spectra