Optimize Mineral Recovery and Improve Processing Efficiency with TIMA Textural Analysis

Why Drill Core Logging and Petrographic Studies aren’t Sufficient for Mineral Exploration

Drill core logging and petrographic studies, while detailed, provide only snapshots of ore mineralogy and mineral associations, and are unable to capture information at a mining production scale. Typical approaches to assess recoverability of the value minerals are complex, which may become a barrier to timely and accurate mineral associations.

Tescan TIMA uses automated mineralogy for quantitative particle-by-particle analysis to deliver statistically robust phase, texture and liberation data. Spectral summing allows accurate identification of trace and low-abundance minerals. Intuitive operation facilitates rapid acquisition of critical data for ore mineral abundance, grain size distribution, liberation and middling associations as the metallurgical flowsheet is being developed.

How Metallurgical Ore Textural Analysis was Performed

Tescan TIMA enters the ore mineral textural testing flowsheet after stage grind and screening. Crush size fractions suitable for TIMA analysis (-850/+300 µm) are subject to particle mapping first. TIMA particle maps show differences in sample bulk mineralogy and grain size distribution.

Particle mapping datasets can be further processed to deliver key textural measurements. Overall grain size distribution drives decisions over required grind size, and assessment of middling particle types impacts development of the metallurgical flowsheet.

Grain size, liberation and mineral associations can be determined from crushed core samples obtained at all targeted zones. TIMA categorizers automatically produce middling groupings with the defined particle properties. With this data, metallurgists can make qualified decisions about extractive processes.

TIMA Ore Textural Analysis Informs Decisions at Multiple Project Stages

Geometallurgical programs are data-driven, relying on accurate sample testing and quantification of grain size and mineral associations to create predictive models for mineral processing.

Tescan TIMA textural analysis can be employed at multiple stages of mineral processing to provide critical insights to ore characteristics, including grain size distribution, liberation degree and spatial metallurgical variability.

Additionally, TIMA enhances overall process efficiency with the data that informs flowsheet design, supports performance predictions, and identifies the best methods for cost-effective beneficiation.