Using a technique known as laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), researchers have developed a fast method for analysing ore bodies and other materials in real time.
Analysing whole rocks
Through LIBS, CSIRO project leader Mr David Death and colleagues have analysed the composition of whole rocks, drill chips and compressed powder pellets of iron ore. The laser method measures the iron, silicon and aluminium content, as well as a range of other elements, and the results are consistent with those from standard industry chemical assays.
'Using this method is at least as good as sending the material away for standard analytical laboratory testing, with the added benefit that it is immediate,' Mr Death says.
Immediate assessment saves time
The technique has a range of applications. For example, if built into a portable instrument it could give field geologists – who normally travel with exploration teams to assess ore quality – an on-the-spot elemental analysis.
“LIBS has the potential to cut the routine analysis time compared with x-ray fluorescence.”
Mr David Death, Project Leader, CSIRO Minerals
By allowing the drilling team to immediately assess whether more holes are needed to fully map out an ore body, money and time could be saved, he says. It could also be used for routine analysis in mining camp laboratories where x-ray fluorescence machines are widely used.
'LIBS has the potential to cut the routine analysis time compared with x-ray fluorescence. Typically, mining companies process many thousands of samples a year and there is always a backlog, so any time savings are of great benefit.'
Many possibilities
Other possible uses include mounting on a conveyor belt to provide continual online analysis; or placing one on the floor of an open cut mine, to analyse the mine face and floor as it is being mined.
'We have done a range of initial feasibility measurements to demonstrate the accuracy of the system,' Mr Death says. 'We are negotiating with industry for the next stage of feasibility work for a more detailed set of samples, leading into commercial prototype development and implementation.'
Read about CSIRO's capabilities in On-line analysis and control in real time.
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