Optimised Process Control in Iron Ore via Online Analysis of Light Elements

Iron Ore 2015, PerthLauri Köresaar

Application Specialist- Analysers

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If you can measure ityou can control it

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Elemental analysis at a reverse flotation plantRougher flotation React to head grade changes Monitor operation of rougher & cleaner banks Monitor recovery & Fe losses to tailings

Final concentrate & additive mixing Requires measurement of

Si, Mg, Ca & C

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Pelletizing plant

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On-line elemental analysis techniques

•XRF•XRD

•PGNAA•NMR

•LIBS

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XRF SiO2 analysis

R² = 0.8975

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

10.00

53.00 54.00 55.00 56.00 57.00 58.00 59.00 60.00

SiO

2 (%

)

Fe (%)

SiO2 vs. Fe

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Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

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Optical Emission Spectroscopy

Emission Line Produced!Carbon line 193 nm

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LIBS analyser principle

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Fe flotation concentrate spectrum

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Sample introduction

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Feasibility study

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Fe concentrate feasibility studySiO2 (%) Al2O3 (%) Fe (%)

4.82 2.09 59.233.15 1.62 59.103.66 2.04 57.883.05 1.22 59.834.28 1.22 59.243.20 1.21 60.166.46 1.56 58.623.49 2.26 58.566.19 1.92 55.274.21 3.34 57.543.30 2.40 57.905.03 2.04 58.333.57 2.04 58.683.70 1.76 58.472.87 1.75 58.193.40 1.30 59.783.89 1.74 59.403.67 1.37 59.07

Min 2.87 1.21 55.27Max 6.46 3.34 60.16

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SiO2 Feasibility Results

R² = 0.8996

2

3

4

5

6

7

2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7Pred

icte

d Va

lue

(%)

Laboratory Assay (%)

SiO2

2

3

4

5

6

7

SiO

2 (%

)

Time

SiO2

Relative σ = 7.9%Absolute σ = 0.3%

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Al2O3 Feasibility Results

R² = 0.9495

11.5

22.5

33.5

4

1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

Pred

icte

d Va

lue

(%)

Laboratory Assay (%)

Al2O3

11.5

22.5

33.5

4

Al2

O3

(%)

Time

Al2O3

Relative σ = 6.2%Absolute σ = 0.1%

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Fe Feasibility Results

R² = 0.8108

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62

Pred

icte

d Va

lue

(%)

Laboratory Assay (%)

Fe

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

Fe (%

)

Time

Fe

Relative σ = 0.8%Absolute σ = 0.5%

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Questions?