Geometallurgical characterization of South Georgian complex copper-gold ores

Liipo, Jussi; Hicks, Matthew B.; Takalo, V-P.; Remes, Antti; Talikka, Matti; Khizanishvili, S.; Natsvlishvili, M.

doi:10.17159/2411-9717/565/2019

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Different analytical techniques have been used to determine PGMs and Au in geological work because of their economic importance (Hughes, McDonald, and Kerr, 2015;Jansen et al, 2016). Liipo et al (2019) characterized the South Georgian complex copper-gold ores by fire assay and ICP-OES.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new preconcentration technique for the determination of PGMs and gold by fire assay and ICP-OES

Masasire

Rwere

Dzomba

et al. 2022

J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall.

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Accurate determination of platinum group metals (PGMs) and gold (Au) has always proven to be a difficult task, due to their low concentrations in platiniferous ores. The most common preconcentration technique used in analysis of these metals is fire assay with a flux containing nickel or lead. This technique can be improved by using co-collectors. Here we hypothesise that Fe, Co, and Cu can be used as co-collectors to enhance separation and preconcentration of PMGs and gold by fire assay. To test this hypothesis, geological exploration samples from Siyanda Union Mine (Northam, South Africa) were analysed by an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) for PGMs (Pt, Pd, and Rh) and Au. A control sample (certified reference material AMIS 0426) was also analysed by the same technique. The PGM and Au recoveries from the control sample ranged from 83% to 105% for all three co-collectors, with relative standard deviations less than 10% for the control sample and 7% for the geological samples. The PGM and Au recoveries by Fe and Co co-collectors were modestly higher than that of the Cu-collector. These results indicate that Fe and Co are better co-collectors than Cu, presumably due to the loss of analyte when using Cu. Taken together, Fe and Co co-collectors can be viable alternatives for analysis of PGMs and gold using the fire assay method.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new preconcentration technique for the determination of PGMs and gold by fire assay and ICP-OES

Masasire

Rwere

Dzomba

et al. 2022

J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall.

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“…Nevertheless, most methods are limited to 2D, which implies the loss of information. Techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are commonly used in numerous application [ 4–11 ] . However, usually, the investigated features of a sample are 3‐dimensional, thus a complete characterization would only be possible using a 3D technique.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spectral X‐ray computed micro tomography: 3‐dimensional chemical imaging

et al. 2020

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We present a new approach to 3‐dimensional chemical imaging based on X‐ray computed micro tomography (CT), which enables the analysis of the internal elemental chemistry. The method uses a conventional laboratory‐based CT scanner equipped with a semiconductor detector (CdTe). Based on the X‐ray absorption spectra, elements in a sample can be distinguished by their specific K‐edge energy. The capabilities and performance of this new approach are illustrated with different experiments, i.e. single pure element particle measurements, element differentiation in mixtures, and mineral differentiation in a natural rock sample. The results show that the method can distinguish elements with K‐edges in the range of 20 to 160 keV, this corresponds to an element range from Ag to U. Furthermore, the spectral information allows a distinction between materials, which show little variation in contrast in the reconstructed CT image.

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