Don’t settle for stale solutions
It’s time to optimize mineralogical analysis for heavy mineral sands
As any good chef knows, the quality of a meal depends largely on the quality of its ingredients. And something similar is true for many other things we enjoy; from the food we eat to the transport we rely on, quality parts mean reliable and high-quality end-products.
But let’s take another step back. Quality components, in turn, rely on quality raw materials. This means that, even from the very beginning of the manufacturing process, quality control is essential. Just as a chef depends on farmers for the freshest, ripest produce, so industries rely on the mining industry for top-quality, raw materials. For such widely used materials as titanium, titanium dioxide, and zircon, this means careful control of the whole extraction process.
Out with the old…
The source of these raw materials is heavy mineral sands: a type of high-density ore that occurs in small concentrations. This means mining companies need specialized equipment to separate and process the sand, and quantitative knowledge to optimize the rest of the mining process.
But, despite the need for high levels of specialization and constant analysis, many still rely on time-consuming wet chemistry. This is a big problem for the cost- and energy-efficiency of the mining process. But it is also an issue for the quality of the end product. Plus, this type of monitoring is often not carried out very often, meaning process conditions aren’t adjusted for the right mineralogical composition of the raw materials.
… And in with the new!
But there’s a better way. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technology has become a standard tool in cement and aluminum production thanks to advances in its speed and accuracy. But it is also a great solution to the challenges of mineralogical monitoring in heavy mineral sands! Not only does it offer faster, more reliable process control for the separation of heavy minerals and ore, but it also enables better monitoring of smelting performance.
Using high-speed detectors and modern quantitative phase analysis (in combination with statistical methods like Rietveld quantification), XRD tools offer regular and precise process control, across multiple process streams. Compared with traditional XRD techniques, it delivers measurements within minutes, instead of hours. Thus, process conditions and raw materials can be immediately adjusted for maximum efficiency. And the best part? It can all be completely automated! So, no more complex sample preparation or time-consuming data evaluation; you’ll have quick results at the touch of a button.
Tackling big challenges with small solutions
Malvern Panalytical’s solutions can enable fast, frequent, accurate monitoring of mineralogy. But that’s not all! We also have tools to measure elemental composition, particle size and shape, and even environmental impact. With support from our technical experts, you’ll find the right tools for your application. And from analysis products for mining exploration, on-line elemental analysis, or a benchtop solution for your laboratory, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Now that’s food for thought!
To find out more about our modern XRD solutions, or any of our other solutions for industrial minerals mining and beneficiation, please read our new scientific paper, visit our dedicated webpages, or contact us.
Further reading