Open Access
Online X-Ray Fluorescence Monitoring of Coarse Ore for Silver at the Process Conveyors at Kazakhmys Corporation LLC
Author(s) -
Aydar Nigmatulin,
Zaure Abdrakhmanova,
Andrey Kan,
S. P. Efimenko,
Д. В. Макаров
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
inżynieria mineralna
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.215
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 1640-4920
DOI - 10.29227/im-2020-01-56
Subject(s) - cadmium , metallurgy , molybdenum , copper , zinc , smelting , x ray fluorescence , slag (welding) , chemistry , materials science , analytical chemistry (journal) , fluorescence , environmental chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
This paper examines the process and methodological aspects of implementing online X-ray fluorescence monitoring of ore in terms ofits silver, cadmium, zinc, lead, molybdenum, and iron grade at the process conveyors at Balkhash and Karagaily Concentrators andthe main conveyor of the Nurkazgan underground mine operated by Kazakhmys Corporation LLC. The research was complicated bythe need to: a) ensure reliable measurement of silver and cadmium in the range of 1+ ppm, molybdenum in the range of 10+ ppm, aswell as copper, zinc, lead, and iron in the ore size class –300 mm; b) implement monitoring of the grade of these elements (except molybdenum) at Balkhash Concentrator in the waste slag of Balkhash Copper Smelter, characterized by a very complex elemental matrix.A modification of the ore monitoring station RLP-21T (by Aspap Geo LLC, Alma-Ata) was developed, implemented, and thoroughlytested for online monitoring of low-grade silver ore flows. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method was adopted for ore assays.Instrument spectra were measured every second. Silver, cadmium, and molybdenum grade was calculated based on 40 measurements,copper, zinc, lead, and iron grade – based on 20 measurements.