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INCAMineral
Automated mineral liberation analysis for multipurpose SEMs
Fast and accurate quantification of base metals, PGMs and iron in ores
A new minerals analysis solution
for geological industry and research
AUTOMATE profit
AUTOMATE
PROFIT
INCAMineral
INCAMineral
Automated mineral liberation analysis for multipurpose SEMs
Large area
analysis
…of applications
…over
a wide
range
Bringing automated mineral
liberation analysis to your SEM
INCAMineral is a powerful, automated,
Mineral Liberation Analysis solution. It enables
ore characterisation, provides vital data on
metal recovery and enables process yield
characterisation using multipurpose SEMs.
Exploiting the performance of Oxford
Instruments’ large area SDDs (X-Max®),
it provides accurate classification of minerals
at speeds comparable to dedicated systems
– but with the flexibility to perform other
investigations as required.
Automated mineral characterisation
Performance
• Reporting modal mineralogy
• Liberation yields
• Mineral locking and association
• Particle and grain size distribution
• High speed acquisition using SDD technology
• Automated analysis over wide area, resolution
Applications
Flexibility
•
• Base metal recovery
• Iron ore characterisation
• Coal (mineral impurity analysis)
• Works with most SEMs
• Can be retrofitted to existing systems
• Grain relocation for more detailed analysis using WDS,
Precious metal recovery (PGM)
at the nanoscale
• Based on proven Oxford Instruments algorithms
EBSD and complementary EDS techniques
• Upgrade paths include large area mapping,
quantitative EDS mapping and more
INCAMineral automatically analyses grains over a large area
a)
of the sample, typically several square centimetres. Because
• Phase identification can be made by X-ray spectrum
matching, but, even better, by real-time full quantitative
of the resolution achieved, information on individual grains
analysis during the acquisition. This delivers the accuracy
is available from the same acquisition.
needed to distinguish chemically similar phases
or polished sections
• The relationship between the individual grains and the
• Samples can be either grain mounts
b)
parent particles is maintained for further post-processing
• Particles, and the grains within them, are detected
using the atomic number contrast derived from a
• The post-processing module provides direct and convenient
access to the data via a graphical user interface
backscattered electron image
• A combination of X-ray data, morphological data
from the BSE image is used to identify the minerals
• Both morphological and phase information in each grain
• Information is provided for individual grains as well as
statistical information over the whole sample: mineral
abundance, mineral associations, liberation and locking,
grain size distributions as well as cumulative liberation
is stored in a database from which
it can be retrieved
a) Backscattered
electron image of gold particle and b) X-ray spectrum.
yield graphs
and re-analysed in greater detail at any time
Base metals
Rare Earths
INCAMineral is ideal for the study of liberation of copper,
As worldwide shortage drives the search for new sources of
lead, zinc and nickel ores as it quickly identifies and
rare earth metals, INCAMineral is the ideal tool to support
characterises the distribution of sulfides and the non-sulfide
prospecting and exploration activities. It automatically
gangue. It measures the extent of liberation, and provides
identifies and quantifies the rare earth mineral content in an
vital data to optimise the froth flotation process.
ore, and assists in the optimisation of extraction processes.
Gold and PGMs
Ferrous ores
By analysing samples from different stages in the mining
INCAMineral helps to quantify the distribution of the
process (i.e. feed ore, concentrates and tailings), you will
different types of ferrous oxides in the iron ore, and can
quickly determine the recoverable portion of the precious
identify the impurities that are present.
metal. Even for low grade samples, gold grains can be
INCAMineral first acquires data over a large area – although
automatically
located,
sized,being
and the
associated
phases
the data points
are actually
collected
at the nanoscale
if wanted…
rapidly
identified.
1
or silicate phases can be quickly identified, which will aid
downstream process optimisation.
Coal
INCAMineral helps to quantify the various impurities
For Platinum Group Metals (PGM), the associated sulfide
INCAMineral
The performance you need,
the flexibility you want...
present in coal – such as oxides, sulphites and silicates.
This is especially important when clean coal is required for
Grains in each subregion are identified and catalogued...
steel
production.
INCAMineral
2
E
report
INCAMineral
The performance you need,
the flexibility you want...
Large area analysis …
INCAMineral automatically analyses grains over a large area
of the sample, typically several square centimetres. Because
... microscopic detail
• Phase identification can be made by X-ray spectrum
matching, but, even better, by real-time full quantitative
of the resolution achieved, information on individual grains
analysis during the acquisition. This delivers the accuracy
1. From large area to particles
is available from the same acquisition.
needed to distinguish chemically similar phases
2. From particles to grain
• Samples can be either grain mounts or polished sections • The relationship between the individual grains and the
parent particles is maintained for further post-processing
• Particles, and the grains within them, are detected
using the atomic number contrast derived from a
• The post-processing module provides direct and convenient
3. From grain to minerals
4. …to statistical analysis
access to the data via a graphical user interface
backscattered electron image
• A combination of X-ray data, morphological data
from the BSE image is used to identify the minerals
• Both morphological and phase information in each grain
is stored in a database from which it can be retrieved
and re-analysed in greater detail at any time
• Information is provided for individual grains as well as
statistical information over the whole sample: mineral
a)
abundance, mineral associations, liberation and locking,
grain size distributions as well as cumulative liberation
yield graphs
2
Individual grains are then characterised...
3
b)
INCAMineral first acquires data over a large area – although
the data points are actually being collected at the nanoscale
if wanted…
1
Cumulative liberation yield graphs for a) galena
and b) sphalerite from a concentrate after
flotation.
The materials in the grain are then identified and quantified.
Grains in each subregion are identified and catalogued...
INCAMineral
4
INCAMineral
INCAMineral
EDS
Based on off-the-shelf, industry leading hardware
Hardware
INCAMineral is compatible with a wide range of SEMs and
Oxford Instruments’ X-Max® large area silicon drift detector.
The X-Max combines extremely fast data acquisition rates
and outstanding stability to provide accurate quantitative
analysis of the elements present in the sample. INCAMineral
then identifies the various phases/minerals. The facility to
match acquired X-ray spectra to a database of previously
measured or reference spectra is also available.
As INCAMineral uses a standard hardware platform, you
can extend the initial system at a later date to incorporate
other tools. For example, you can perform ultra-fine
resolution Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy by adding
Oxford Instruments recognises that your success
the INCAWave WDS detector option, or by adding our
requires not just only world-class products, but also
Nordlys EBSD camera, investigate the grain structure of
world-class service and support. Our global service
a sample in fine detail.
team is renowned for delivering outstanding service to
customers and microscope vendors:
Many of the images used in this document were
provided courtesy of Outotec Oyj – we thank them
for their assistance.
•Hands-on and theory classroom training
• On-site training tailored to your specific needs
• Web-based courses and training videos
• Consultancy and application support
• Multi-layered maintenance and service contracts
Please visit www.oxford-instruments.com/mineral for more information
This publication provides outline information only, which (unless agreed by the company in writing) may not form
part of any order or contract. Oxford Instruments’ policy is one of continued improvement and reserves the right to
alter, without notice the specification, design or conditions of supply of any product or service. Oxford Instruments
acknowledges all trademarks and registrations. © Oxford Instruments plc, 2012. All rights reserved.
Document reference: OINA/INCAMinerals/0312.
FM 571796