Introduction
Effective and efficient ore selection processes are paramount in the successful exploitation of mineral resources. The ore selection process is a complex process that is usually controlled by a range of infrastructure systems in order to maintain a balance between the economics of the sector and the safety of miners. The objective of the ore selection process is to separate the waste rock, containing no economic value, from the ore containing the valuable minerals. The ore selection process relies on a combination of physical and chemical properties which enables an ideal distribution of the ore particles.
The ore selection process is highly varied, depending on the material being mined, the desired end-product, and the constraints associated with the large scale operation. Generally, the ore selection process includes ore blending, ore sorting, and ore transport. Each of these processes requires a series of operations and requires a combination of mechanical and control operating systems in order to be executed efficiently and accurately.
The ore selection process control object characteristics refer to the physical and chemical properties of a mineral ore, which must be taken into consideration when designing a suitable ore selection process.
Physical Characteristics
Physical characteristics of a mineral ore are most often determined based on its size, shape and composition. These characteristics, as well as geological issues such as porosity and strength of the rock, will determine the available mining technology and equipment and ultimately define the parameters of the ore selection process.
Size
Although the size of a mineral ore can vary significantly, even within a given deposit, the size of the particles within a specific ore type is usually determined by the ore grading. Ore grading is a way to classify the size of the ore particles, which can either be measured directly or calculated from test visualizations. These ore gradings are then used to define the size cut-off for a specific ore type, allowing operators to determine the size of ore particles which will be targeted for extraction and recovery.
Shape
The shape of a mineral ore is determined with rock mechanics parameters such as particle size, shape and weight distribution. In practice, the shape of the ore particles can be assessed using tools such as photomicrographs and scanning electron microscopes (SEMs), which allow engineers to gain an understanding of the shape of the ore particles. This shape knowledge allows mapping of the ore body and enable engineers to design of suitable ore selection processes.
Composition
The chemical composition of a mineral ore is usually determined by a combination of a variety of techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical emission spectrometry (OES). These techniques can provide accurate information of the minerals present in the ore, which can then be used to identify the most important ore characteristics, such as mineral traceability, mineral purity, and impurities.
Chemical Characteristics
Chemical characteristics of a mineral ore refer to the mineral composition of the ore, and typically requires detailed analysis of the chemical composition of the ore sample. This analysis is usually conducted using XRF or X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The analysis provides information about the elements present in the ore sample, along with their respective minerals. This analysis is important since it affects various ore properties, such as tinting, sometimes valuable, and grade.
The chemical characteristics of an ore can be used to determine the ore type and select the most appropriate mining and extraction processes for the ore. This is done through the comparison of the chemical characteristics of a mine ore sample with geological ore deposits, in order to assess the usefulness of the ore resource. This enables the decision makers to assess the commercial potential of the ore quickly and accurately, which facilitates the ore selection process.
Conclusion
The ore selection process control object characteristics refer to the physical and chemical properties of a mineral ore, which must be taken into consideration when designing a suitable ore selection process. This involves the assessment of physical properties such as the size, shape, and composition of the ore particles, as well as the chemical characteristics such as the mineral composition, trace elements and grade. It is important to recognize the physical and chemical characteristics of a mineral ore as they play an important role in optimizing the ore selection process.
