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3D Characterization of Auriferous Pyrite Flotation Samples for Liberation and Grain Exposure Analysis Using Micro X-Ray Computed Tomography

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Abstract

The liberation and exposure of valuable mineral grains in ore particles are of significant importance in understanding the efficiency of flotation separations. A flotation feed sample from the Kensington concentrator was scanned by micro X-ray computed tomography (micro-XCT), to determine the liberation and exposure of auriferous pyrite grains. The analysis results suggested a satisfying extent of liberation for the particle size below 212 μm. Theoretical flotation recovery of pyrite for selected particle size fractions was predicted from the three-dimensional liberation and exposure analysis. The plant flotation tail was also characterized by micro-XCT to identify liberated and partially liberated pyrite particles that might not be collected into the concentrate. However, liberation analysis of the tail sample revealed that the majority of liberated pyrite were recovered in the plant flotation circuit. Trainable Weka, a machine learning segmentation approach, has been compared with the Watershed thresholding segmentation for the 106 μm × 45 μm particle size fraction scanned at a voxel size of 1.85 μm. Improved segmentation of small particles was found using the machine learning method.

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Acknowledgements

The manuscript is prepared to celebrate Prof. Jan D. Miller’s retirement on June 30, 2023, after 55 years of exceptional and dedicated service at the University of Utah.

Funding

This study is funded by Coeur Mining, Inc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 122 South Central Campus Drive, Room 304, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    Amanda N. Erskine, Jiaqi **, Chen-Luh Lin & Jan D. Miller

  2. Coeur Mining, Inc, 200 S Wacker Dr. Suite 2100, Chicago, IL, 60606, USA

    Shijie Wang

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  1. Amanda N. Erskine
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  2. Jiaqi **
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  3. Chen-Luh Lin
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  4. Jan D. Miller
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  5. Shijie Wang
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Correspondence to Jiaqi **.

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Erskine, A.N., **, J., Lin, CL. et al. 3D Characterization of Auriferous Pyrite Flotation Samples for Liberation and Grain Exposure Analysis Using Micro X-Ray Computed Tomography. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 40, 1621–1630 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-023-00852-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-023-00852-9

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