Process mineralogy lab

This advanced facility enables high-resolution mineralogical analysis using µXRF, QEMSCAN, and automated optical microscopy, providing detailed information about ore textures, associations, and mineral liberation. The lab is also expanding to include LIBS and Raman spectroscopy for extending analytical capabilities. In addition, XRD and XCT are available on campus.

QEMSCAN

The Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy (QEMSCAN) system, generously donated by LKAB, delivers high-resolution, automated mineralogical mapping. This tool is essential for detailed mineral identification, quantifying mineral compositions, grain size distributions, and textural relationships within ore samples. QEMSCAN’s ability to assess mineral liberation and association characteristics makes it a powerful asset for optimizing ore processing methods, predicting recovery rates, and supporting geometallurgical studies.

FEI QEMSCAN FEG system with Dual Bruker 5030 EDS

M4 Tornado Plus with AMICS

M4 Tornado Plus micro-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) spectrometer, enhanced with the Advanced Mineral Identification and Characterization System (AMICS), enables high-resolution chemical mapping and mineral liberation analysis. This integrated system allows for mineral identification and spatial mapping of elemental distribution directly on sample surfaces without extensive sample preparation. By generating detailed mineral maps and performing liberation analysis, this setup supports comprehensive ore characterization, particularly beneficial for analyzing complex ores and coarse particles.

Bruker M4 Tornado Plus

Automated optical microscopy

Automated optical microscopy system provides rapid, high-throughput analysis of mineral textures, grain boundaries, and size distribution, combining image analysis and pattern recognition for efficient mineralogical assessment. This system is particularly valuable for routine characterization of mineral samples, supporting texture analysis and identification of mineralogical changes during processing.

Zeiss Axioscope 7 RL BF/DF/C-DIC