Automated Scanning Electron Microscope Based Mineral Liberation Analysis An Introduction to JKMRC/FEI Mineral Liberation Analyser

Ying Gu

JKMRC, The University of Queensland Isles Rd, Indooroopilly, QLD Australia 4068.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2003.21003                

Abstract

This paper presents the methods and techniques used in the recently developed JKMRC/FEI Mineral Liberation Analyser (MLA). The MLA system consists of a specially developed software package and a standard modern SEM fitted with an energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) analyser. The on-line program of the MLA software package controls the SEM, captures sample images, performs necessary image analysis and acquires EDS x-ray spectra unattended. Typically, 40 to 100 images (containing 4000 to 10,000 particles) are acquired for each sample block and a dozen blocks (of 30 mm in diameter) are measured overnight. The MLA off-line processing program transforms raw particle image with x-ray data into particle mineral maps and calculates bulk and liberation data from particle mineral maps.

Keywords

Scanning Electron Microscope, Mineral Liberation Analysis.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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