Image Analaysis Coupled With A SEM-EDS Applied To The Characaterization Of A Zn-Pb Partially Weathered Ore
ABSTRACT
The image analysis coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) analysis on a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was applied to the characterization of a Zn and Pb ore as an efficient tool for mineral quantification and for the assessment of the degree of mineral liberation. Screened size fractions of mineral particles were mounted on polished thin sections and, later on, analyzed by a SEM coupled with an EDS. This is important for the discrimination of different mineral phases, particularly when two minerals have similar average atomic numbers, such as willemite and pyrite. Two images per field were collected - backscattered electrons image and a multi-element X-ray dot mapping images. The results were utilized for quantification and liberation analysis of two valuable minerals in the ore -sphalerite and galena.
The image analysis coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) analysis on a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was applied to the characterization of a Zn and Pb ore as an efficient tool for mineral quantification and for the assessment of the degree of mineral liberation. Screened size fractions of mineral particles were mounted on polished thin sections and, later on, analyzed by a SEM coupled with an EDS. This is important for the discrimination of different mineral phases, particularly when two minerals have similar average atomic numbers, such as willemite and pyrite. Two images per field were collected - backscattered electrons image and a multi-element X-ray dot mapping images. The results were utilized for quantification and liberation analysis of two valuable minerals in the ore -sphalerite and galena.
Cite this paper
H. Kahn, E. Mano and M. Tassinari, "Image Analaysis Coupled With A SEM-EDS Applied To The Characaterization Of A Zn-Pb Partially Weathered Ore," Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, Vol. 1 No. 1, 2002, pp. 1-9. doi: 10.4236/jmmce.2002.11001.
H. Kahn, E. Mano and M. Tassinari, "Image Analaysis Coupled With A SEM-EDS Applied To The Characaterization Of A Zn-Pb Partially Weathered Ore," Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, Vol. 1 No. 1, 2002, pp. 1-9. doi: 10.4236/jmmce.2002.11001.
References
[1] Gabas, S.G. Análise de Imagens Aplicada à Caracterizacao de Minérios – Análise Modal e Liberacao. Dissertacao de Mestrado, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de Sao Paulo (1999). [2] Kahn, H.; Sant’Agostino, L.; Mano, E.S., Tassinari, M.M. (1998) Acta Microscopica. 7-A: 241-244. [3] Lastra, R.; Petruk, W; Wilson, J. Image analysis techniques and applications to mineral processing. In: Modern approaches to ore and environmental mineralogy. Mineralogical Association of Canada. Short Course Series, V.27, p327-366
[1] Gabas, S.G. Análise de Imagens Aplicada à Caracterizacao de Minérios – Análise Modal e Liberacao. Dissertacao de Mestrado, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de Sao Paulo (1999). [2] Kahn, H.; Sant’Agostino, L.; Mano, E.S., Tassinari, M.M. (1998) Acta Microscopica. 7-A: 241-244. [3] Lastra, R.; Petruk, W; Wilson, J. Image analysis techniques and applications to mineral processing. In: Modern approaches to ore and environmental mineralogy. Mineralogical Association of Canada. Short Course Series, V.27, p327-366