How on-line NIR sensor enhance ore processing automation
Critical components of any ore processing automation strategy are the sensors that provide compositional, mineralogical, and ore property information that are essential for process optimization decisions. On-line over-the-conveyor sensors provide real-time information that is then available for feed-forward control of a wide range of ore processing operations.
Near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy is widely used to provide mineralogic and ore property information required for ore transport, sorting, and processing decision making. The advantage of the NIR technique is the speed of measurement and the need for minimal or no sample preparation. Many of our customers have developed quantitative calibrations for a wide range of gangue minerals and ore properties; these include swelling clays, total clays, kaolinite, calcite, talc, hornblende, moisture, acid consumption, and hardness. Analysis of geolocated blast hole chip samples using high-throughput NIR analyzers currently provides information essential for heap leach optimization and, for accurate short-term loading and hauling planning at many operating mines.
With the availability of the QualitySpec 7000 over-the-conveyor NIR sensor, these calibrations are now able to provide the real-time information necessary to implement feed-forward control of ore processing. This presentation provides an overview of the NIR method, current usage examples in operational mines, and an overview of how the QualitySpec 7000 over-the-conveyor NIR sensor enables ore processing automation.
Near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy is widely used to provide mineralogic and ore property information required for ore processing decision making.
Sign up for our webinar to learn how feed-forward control of a wide range of ore processing operations can be substantiated by real-time information from on-line over-the-conveyor sensors.
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