QEMSCAN® - TAILINGS ANALYSIS

Cutting Edge Technology for Minimising Valuable Minerals Loss

SOLUTION FOCUSED TECHNOLOGY

QEMSCAN is a key technology which assists in maximising processing plant recoveries by determining the mineralogical controls causing the loss of valuable minerals to Tailings. QEMSCAN provides integrated automated mineralogy solutions for the quantitative analysis of minerals, rocks and man-made materials. The word QEMSCAN is an abbreviation standing for Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by SCANning electron microscopy. As experts in mineralogical analysis and mineral laboratory services across Australia and internationally, Bureau Veritas - Amdel are proud to offer QEMSCAN solutions to achieve measurable results and set new standards of excellence for our clients.

OUR SERVICES

Using QEMSCAN technology, Bureau Veritas – Amdel is able to deliver repeatable, reliable and quantifiable analysis which provides for our clients the information necessary to determine what mineralogical controls are causing losses of valuable minerals to Tailings. Utilising integrated hardware and software, this technology can identify rock- and ore-forming minerals using backscattered electron and secondary electron signals, in combination with electron-induced secondary x-ray emission. This specialised technology can analysis many samples types including drill core, and even particulates on SEM tape or filter paper. A wide range of petrographic characteristics can be quantified, including: modal mineral proportions, grain size, phase associations, ore-type, litho-type, porosity, liberation, surface area, and grain density, to name a few.

KEY BENEFITS

• Fast and accurate analysis allows for cost effective gathering of large datasets
• Large datasets are essential for studying losses of valuable minerals such as Ag, Au, and Pt in trace amounts
• Resolution down to 1um allows for accurate identification of very fine target minerals
• Determining mineralogy by elemental X-ray signatures allows for detection of some elements present in solid solution with other mineral phases
• Visual representation of key mineral associations aids in development of methods to minimise losses to Tailings