The use of mineralogy in the design and optimization of metallurgical processes is a mature science and valuable contributions have been made especially in the exploitation of various ore deposits. The use of micro-beam image analysis and Rietveld analysis techniques have provided essential quantitative information for process design and optimization. Recent studies are examining the metallurgical response of various ore minerals to different reagents and to different thermal and chemical treatments.

Recently, in an effort to reduce the cost of pilot scale testing of metallurgical processes, and to evaluate new mineral deposits more representatively, new testing procedures using only borehole sized samples were devised. Thus the science of geo-metallurgy was established. This involves mineralogical and chemical characterization of the samples, small scale metallurgical testing to estimate possible recoveries of valuable elements, and also techno-economic evaluation of the envisaged process. Again, mineralogy constitutes a core technology since minerals are the primary phases that are processed and not the elements.

This session will examine the application of mineralogy in the evaluation of ore deposits and metallurgical processes, including also the impact on the environment.