Automated Mineralogy systems have found applications in many different sectors, especially where statistically reliable information, based on the collection and analysis of hundreds of thousands of measurement points, is required. Two commercial products exist – QEMSCAN® (developed by the CSIRO, and commercialized by Intellection); and the MLA (developed by JKMRC of the University of Queensland and commercialized by JKTech). FEI Company is the global provider of Automated Mineralogy Solutions following the acquisition of both the QEMSCAN and MLA technologies in 2009.
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Automated Mineralogy is a general term used to describe a technology, an analytic solution, an area of commercial business, and an area of scientific and engineering interest and endeavor.
Technology
The technology involves the ultrafast analysis of minerals, rocks and man-made materials, using scanning electron microscopes fitted with multiple x-ray EDS detectors. These systems have a high degree of automation in terms of measurement, analysis and data interpretation capability, and this aspect sets them apart from conventional SEMs and other image analysis devices. They are designed to be highly reliable, easy-to-use and robust, thus allowing for high sample throughputs and minimal operator intervention. They have been specifically designed to replace laborious, operator-dependant, mineral analysis with efficient, objective, and highly repeatable analysis.
Business
The business of Automated Mineralogy is concerned with the commercialization of the technology in terms of development and provision of integrated solutions, and includes all aspects of: service; maintenance; customer support; R & D; marketing and sales. There are over 150 systems operating worldwide in central laboratory facilities, mine sites, research organizations and universities. Many involve multiple systems on the same site, which is a testament to the high value technology solution that Automated Mineralogy brings to the company or organization concerned.
Applications
Automated Mineralogy systems have found applications in many different sectors, especially where statistically reliable information, based on the collection and analysis of hundreds of thousands of measurement points, is required. They include the following sectors: mining, energy, environment, forensic geosciences, agribusiness, built environment and planetary geology.
Products
Two commercial products exist – QEMSCAN® (developed by the CSIRO, and commercialized by Intellection); and the MLA (developed by JKMRC of the University of Queensland and commercialized by JKTech). FEI Company is the global provider of Automated Mineralogy Solutions following the acquisition of both the QEMSCAN and MLA technologies in 2009.
Features
A unique feature of these systems is that the automatic creation of images enables quantification of mineralogical, textural, and chemical information on a particle-by-particle basis. Measurement can be made at a variety of scales from cm down to a few microns, completely automatically, with added ability to operate 24 hours a day/ seven days a week. The ability to generate hundreds, thousands and millions of analysis data points in a practicable time frame in a cost effective manner makes it the ideal instrument to operate a high value, high volume service.
History of the Use of the Term
The first use of the term automated mineralogy in a technical journal can be traced back to the seminal papers by Sutherland et al., (1988) and Sutherland and Gottlieb (1991), who first used it to describe what the QEM*SEM® technology performed - the world’s first fully commercial automated scanning electron microscope developed by CSIRO in Australia. The term gained significant popularity after it was used to name a new international conference, co-organized by Minerals Engineering International (MEI) and Intellection Pty Ltd, in July 2006. In recent times, terms such as Quantitative Mineralogy, and Automated Mineralogy & Petrology, have been used synonymously with Automated Mineralogy, especially in the context of oil and gas, and other geoscience applications.
Installations – by Geographic Region
Automated Mineralogy systems are located in: USA, Australia, China, Iran, UK, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, South Africa, France, Germany, India, South Korea, Brazil, and Trukey.
Installations – by Company
Anglo American, Barrick Gold, BGR, BGRIMM, BHP Billiton, Canmet, Centre de Recherche de Trappes, CETEM, Chalco, Condumex, ConocoPhillips, Costella Montt, CZRINM, EERC, ERAMET, Eskom, Exxaro, Freeport McMoRan, GEOMAQ Limitada, GTK, IMMT, JNMC, JKTech, Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, LKAB, MINTEK, Montana Tech, MTA Genel Mudurlugu, Newmont, Norilsk, Penoles, Polysius, RBM, Rio Tinto, Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, Tata Steel, Teck Cominco, Vale.
Installations – by Service Company
Activation Laboratories Ltd; ALS, SGS, Ammtec, Amdel, G & T Metallurgical Services, Hazen Research, Xstrata Process Support…
Installations – Universities & Research Organizations
Camborne School of Mines, Colorado School of Mines, CSIRO, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Cape Town, Queens University, Universidad de Concepcion, University of Freiberg, University of Johannesburg, University of Nottingham, University of Queensland, Universidad de Sao Paulo, University of South Australia, University of Sydney, University of Tasmania, University of Utah.
Selected References
Sutherland D, Gottlieb P, Jackson R, Wilkie G and Stewart P (1988)
Measurement in section of particles of known composition. Minerals Engineering, Volume 1, Issue 4, 1988, p. 317-326.
Sutherland D, Gottlieb P (1991)
Application of automated quantitative mineralogy in mineral processing
Minerals Engineering, Volume 4, Issues 7-11, 1991, p. 753-762.
Minerals Engineering International: Automated Mineralogy ‘06
http://www.min-eng.com/m_events.htm