Session ID: EG53
Title of the session: Geo-metallurgy and Process Mineralogy
Convenors: Dogan PAKTUNC, Johan de VILLIERS
Brief description of the session:
A discussion of the application of mineralogy and mineralogical techniques to the exploration and exploitation of
mineral resources. The session will be devoted to the use and integration of mineralogy and metallurgical
evaluation techniques.
Rationale for and details of the session:
The use of mineralogy in the design and optimization of metallurgical processes is a mature science and valuable
contributions have been made especially in the exploitation of various ore deposits. The use of micro-beam
image analysis and Rietveld analysis techniques have provided essential quantitative information for process
design and optimization. Recent studies are examining the metallurgical response of various ore minerals to
different reagents and to different thermal and chemical treatments.
Recently, in an effort to reduce the cost of pilot scale testing of metallurgical processes, and to evaluate new
mineral deposits more representatively, new testing procedures using only borehole sized samples were devised.
Thus the science of geo-metallurgy was established. This involves mineralogical and chemical characterization
of the samples, small scale metallurgical testing to estimate possible recoveries of valuable elements, and also
techno-economic evaluation of the envisaged process. Again, mineralogy constitutes a core technology since
minerals are the primary phases that are processed and not the elements.
This session will examine the application of mineralogy in the evaluation of ore deposits and metallurgical
processes, including also the impact on the environment.