GTK Mineralogical Laboratory Indika workshop 25.11.2016 Marja Lehtonen
Mineral Processing and Materials Research MMA Organization Head of Unit Risto Pietilä Chief of Pilot Plant Arno Kirpala Chief of Laboratories Asse Marjasvaara Mineral Processing Tero Korhonen Mineralogy Marja Lehtonen Isotope Geology Hugh O Brien
Mineral Processing and Materials Research Services The MMA unit provides a cutting-edge chain of research services to operators in the field of mining, metals and environmental industries. These services are geared towards creating eco-efficient processes and reflect the active participation of GTK in jointly funded projects (e.g., TEKES, EU, Academy of Finland..) The GTK Mintec pilot plant, in the town of Outokumpu in Eastern Finland, is well known to most key players in the global minerals industry. Analytical facilities are concentrated in GTK Espoo, but strategic instrumentation for pilot plant on-site in Outokumpu Mineralogy Isotope geology Comminution and classification Flotation Hydrometallurgy Bioprocessing Magnetic, gravity & dense media separation Dewatering
Mineralogical and materials characterization from nanoscale to kilotons MMA strengths: Entire research chain from nanoparticles to micron scale major, trace and isotope compositional studies to bench top scale method testing to tens or hundreds of tons pilot scale work for proof of concept Long experience with different kinds of ore types including base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, rare earth elements and diamonds. MMA services: Mineralogical research Process samples, ore deposits, man-made materials State-of-the-art techniques including MLA, FE-SEM, EPMA Isotope geology research Nearly all types of samples, solids and liquids State-of-the-art techniques including SC-ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS Bench scale tests All common beneficiation methods Mini-pilot tests Feed capacity range 10-50 kg/h Typical sample size 400 2000 kg Pilot plant tests Feed capacity range 0,2 5 tons/h Typical sample size 20 300 tons
MMA Laboratories Espoo LV-SEM (imaging and semiquantitative EDS analysis) FE-SEM (nanoscale resolution, versatile automated EDS analysis options) Electron microprobe (quantitative major and minor elements) XRD Bruker D8 (mineral identification, clay structural studies) Selfrag High voltage pulse power fragmentation (LA)-SC-ICP-MS (multiple element analyses, trace elements to ppt LOD in solutions and ppb LOD with laser) (LA)-MC-ICP-MS (high precision isotopes, many elements ranging from B, Li to S to Fe & Cu to Hf to Pb-U in solutions, or in solids by laser) Automated Ion chromatograph for cations TIMS (minute samples: Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, U-Pb isotope measurements) Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy System (H, O isotopes on water) New in 2017: High energy microct scanner 3D scanning of solids Access to Nordsim: Spot analysis of U-Pb, Fe, S, B, O isotopes Electron optics and microanalysis - X-ray diffraction - Radiogenic and stable isotopes - Selective fragmentation
Suomen Geotieteiden Tutkimuslaboratorio (SGL) Finland Geosciences Research Laboratory (SGL) Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) Aalto University University of Helsinki University of Turku Åbo Akademi University University of Oulu Field Emission (High Resolution) Scanning Electron Microscope TIMS MC- ICPMS SC- ICPMS Single Collector High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer XRD LV-SEM FE- SEM Multi-Collector High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer EMP GTK Espoo GTK Outokumpu SGL / GTK Espoo MLA O-H CRDS
Equipment for indicator mineral studies: Preconcentration and laboratory methods Espoo & Outokumpu + Low & high intensity magnetic separators + Screening/sieving + Panning, spiral concentrators etc. Knelson concentrator Heavy liquid separations; various densities Optical microscopy Selective fragmentation (selfrag) Wilfley table
Equipment for indicator mineral studies: Mineralogical analysis instruments (Espoo & Outokumpu) 2 x XRD (X-ray diffractometer) LV-SEM-EDS (low vacuum scanning electron microscope with automated energy dispersive spectrometer) FE-SEM-EDS (field emission scanning electron microscope with automated energy dispersive spectrometer) MLA (Mineral liberation analyzer) + FE-SEM-MLA (Qemscan) EPMA (electron microprobe)
X-ray diffraction (XRD) X-Ray diffraction is an economical method for identification of minerals and other in-organic materials (crystalline materials) Identification is based on crystal structure of a sample Amounts of main components (>5%) can be estimated Complementary methods: thermic analysis and infrared spectrophotometry Optimal method for clay mineral studies Applications, e.g.: Clay mineral studies, bentonitic clays Geotechnical samples Cement and metal industry products Technical products Mineralogy of agricultural soils Tailings and sedimentary materials Ash components from biogenic fuels
Automated SEM-EDS / MLA applications Characterization of nanometer to mm scale textures Modal mineralogy Elemental and phase mapping Automated search for mineral or inorganic phases Grain size distribution Mineral associations Mineral liberation Elemental deportments Sperrylite PtAs 2 Phase Deport phase (Ti) Deport fraction (Ti) Ilmenite 85.35 4.76 Titano-hematite 8.89 0.50 Pseudorutile 2.97 0.17 Hematite 1.71 0.10 Rutile 0.45 0.02 Unclassified 0.63 0.03
Electron microanalyzer a.k.a. mikroprobe Quantitative analytics: Be U Point, profile and grid analysis Detection limits in routine analyses ca. 0.01%; in trace element analyses even at ~10 ppm level Research themes, e.g.: Ore mineralogy, bedrock geology, exploration Elemental deportment, precious metal contents Metals
Thank you Kiitos!