Mineralogy
Mineralogical examination of 56 variability samples, overall composite and flotation products was carried out using QEMSCAN particle mineral analysis (PMA). In addition, 14 samples from selected variability intervals were subjected to field scans (FS) using QEMSCAN. Samples for FS were selected such that they have uniform geological characteristics. Approximately 25 mm sections were cut from the areas of interest on these core samples and a polished section was prepared for each.
The main objectives of this study were to:
• Identify main ore minerals
• Provide modal mineral abundance of identified mineral phases
• Provide Copper deportment
• Define locking, liberation and association characteristics of the main ore minerals
The FS mode of measurement maps a thin section of core sample which is mounted in a polished section. It collects a chemical spectrum at a set interval within the field of view. Each field of view is then processed offline and a pseudo image of the whole sample is produced by merging all individual fields.
The PMA is a two-dimensional mapping analysis aimed at resolving liberation and locking characteristics of a set of particles. A pre-defined number of particles are mapped at a point spacing selected in order to spatially resolve and describe mineral textures and associations. Three size fractions for each composite sample (+106 µm, -106/+53 µm and -53 µm) were submitted for QEMSCAN analysis. One in four variability samples and master composite were submitted for whole rock analysis for assay reconciliation. A good correlation was observed between QEMSCAN calculated assays with the chemical assay.
Mineralogy
Mineralogical examination of 56 variability samples, overall composite and flotation products was carried out using QEMSCAN particle mineral analysis (PMA). In addition, 14 samples from selected variability intervals were subjected to field scans (FS) using QEMSCAN. Samples for FS were selected such that they have uniform geological characteristics. Approximately 25 mm sections were cut from the areas of interest on these core samples and a polished section was prepared for each.
The main objectives of this study were to:
• Identify main ore minerals
• Provide modal mineral abundance of identified mineral phases
• Provide Copper deportment
• Define locking, liberation and association characteristics of the main ore minerals
The FS mode of measurement maps a thin section of core sample which is mounted in a polished section. It collects a chemical spectrum at a set interval within the field of view. Each field of view is then processed offline and a pseudo image of the whole sample is produced by merging all individual fields.
The PMA is a two-dimensional mapping analysis aimed at resolving liberation and locking characteristics of a set of particles. A pre-defined number of particles are mapped at a point spacing selected in order to spatially resolve and describe mineral textures and associations. Three size fractions for each composite sample (+106 µm, -106/+53 µm and -53 µm) were submitted for QEMSCAN analysis. One in four variability samples and master composite were submitted for whole rock analysis for assay reconciliation. A good correlation was observed between QEMSCAN calculated assays with the chemical assay.
Mineralogy
Mineralogical examination of 56 variability samples, overall composite and flotation products was carried out using QEMSCAN particle mineral analysis (PMA). In addition, 14 samples from selected variability intervals were subjected to field scans (FS) using QEMSCAN. Samples for FS were selected such that they have uniform geological characteristics. Approximately 25 mm sections were cut from the areas of interest on these core samples and a polished section was prepared for each.
The main objectives of this study were to:
• Identify main ore minerals
• Provide modal mineral abundance of identified mineral phases
• Provide Copper