398 4. THE TRADITIONAL GEOMETALLURGICAL METHOD: FROM GUs to GMUs X Ray Diffraction Quantitative “bulk” mineralogical analysis X00 Tens of minutes 100 days Optical microscopy with automatic image analysis Modal analysis of ores and gangues; intergrowths, ore liberation, encapsulations, etc. X00 Several tens of minutes 180 días QEMSCAN, TESCAN, ZEISSMineralogic, etc. Fully automated microchemical, mineralogical and intergrowth analysis X000 Hours 325 days Table 2 – Structural and textural characterization Scale Domain Tools Main application Megasco pic Rock mass Geological mapping. Fracture type and fracturing density Optimization of blasting and primary crusher performance DDH Core % RQD Macrosco pic DDH or RD Geometallurgical logging Blasting and comminution optimization. Definition of geometallurgical units Microsco pic Hand specimens and polishedthin sections Optical microscopy with automatized image analyzer software. Electronic microscopy Mineralogical modal analysis; mineral intergrowths, ore liberation and identification of minerals carrying penaized elements Submicrosco pic Electronic microscopy (SEM/EDS or WDS, QEMSCAN, TESCAN, etc.) For submicroscopic, structural, solid solution and colloidal occurrence of Au, Ag, As, Sb, etc.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2