Quantifying Mineral Liberation - A Conventional and New Automatic Sophisticated Techniques Approach

The characterization of textural properties of minerals is closely related to the process of their respective liberation. Measurements of mineral liberation, related to grinded ore, can be performed using optical ore microscope, by conventional, classical methods - point counting, linear intercepts method or planimetric measurements method (2D). Modern automatic devices and sophisticated measurement techniques (QEMSCAN/MLA) imply recording free surfaces area of mineral grains on polished sections samples in order to determine mineral degree of liberation. Value of mineral liberation obtained over free surfaces area can be of interest to flotation concentration, although not for gravity separation or, for example, magnetic separation. The prediction accuracy for behavior of one feed ore during the concentration process depends on the method of measuring/recording mineral liberation. Considering raw materials with complex textural characteristics it is crucial which method will be applied for determination of mineral liberation respecting whether for concentration process is crucial physical or chemical method.