Multiphase mineral identification and quantification by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract

Quantitative mineral analysis (QMA) performed using energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry and scanning electron microscopes (EDS-SEM) provide reliable information on the mineral abundance and texture of prepared rocks. This information helps in the optimization of the mining and milling processes, and to define the value of a deposit. Real-time analysis of coarse rock streams would greatly enhance the decision-making processes driving the mining operation efficiency; however electron-microscope-based instruments are not yet adaptable for in-field measurements. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used for elemental analysis in many environments but has not been employed for true mineral quantification and identification. This work presents a new method for mineral identification and quantification using LIBS, which could be scalable to perform automated mineralogy measurement in coarse rock streams. A set of rock tiles from mining operations in Australia had QMA performed using an EDS-SEM instrument and the resulting data were used to guide and validate the results obtained by LIBS. The use of a multivariate curve resolution – alternating least square (MCR-ALS) method applied to the LIBS data allowed the identification, quantification and imaging of minerals on rock tiles, even in the presence of mixed mineral phases within the laser spot area. Mineral abundance and imaging are obtained with success for the mineral phases selected in the present work, which includes bornite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, molybdenite, quartz, chlorite, K-feldspar, albite, fluorite and calcite. The method presented a mineral quantification root mean square error below 10% for the main minerals. In addition, mineral quantification by point-counting using single laser shots per LIBS measurement is demonstrated, achieving absolute errors below 3.5% for major minerals and below 1% for minor minerals.