8 MP Sampling and Assaying

MINERAL PROCESSING COURSE
Sampling & Assaying
Click to edit Master subtitle style
Presented by
Mineral Engineering Technical Services Pty Ltd ©
COPYRIGHT © 2011. MINERAL ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES. THESE NOTES ARE NOT TO BE COPIED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT
PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
> Mineral Processing > Engineering Design > Specialist Services > Simulation & Optimisation > Construction Management > Risk Management > Training
Sampling
> Sampling is data collection
> Pierre Gy
> Purpose of sampling:-
― Qualitative sample for assaying
― Maintain process quality
― Improve process control
> Small proportion represents the bulk
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
RESOURCE >Simulation
> Engineering Design > Specialist Services >> TECHNOLOGY > INTEGRATED
& Optimisation > Construction Management
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
> INTEGRATED > Training
SERVICES
Sampling (cont.)
The best samples are taken at right angles to the free falling
stream, preventing:
― Particle size variation in belt loading
― Settling out of particles in the pulp due to velocity change
― Surges, etc.
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Sampling (cont.)
Continuous sampling:
― Performed at a uniform speed
― Produces increment samples
― Represents the entire stream at the time the sample was taken
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Sampling Methods
Two sampling methods:
> Manual
> Automatic or Mechanical
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Manual Sampling
Division sampling:
> Coning and quartering
> Riffling
> Pipe sampling
> Shovel sampling
> Grab sampling
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Manual Sampling (cont.)
Coning and Quartering:
> Relies on its radial symmetry to give four identical samples
> Two opposite corners are taken as the sample
> Other two corners are discarded
> Should not be used for accuracy sampling
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Riffling:
> Splitting of sub-sample dry, free flowing material
> Sample is poured into the chute and split into equal
portions by the slots
> Accurate sampling
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Pipe Sampling
Pipe sampler:
> Is a piece of pipe
> Has one end with sharpened edge and the other fitted with a tee
and two short nipples to form a handle
> Is thrust vertically to the bottom of the heap at regular intervals
> Withdrawn and pounded with a hammer to release the sample
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Shovel sampling:
> Involves taking a series of small scoops of sample and

placing them in a series of smaller piles
> The number of piles is determined by the sample size

requirement
> Individual scoops are placed on each pile in succession,

repeating until the original pile is completely distributed
> The number of scoops per pile range from 10 to 30 or more
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Grab Sampling
> Taking a sample from the sample container by scoop
or spatula
> Grab sampling is not recommended as a sub-
sampling technique
> It fails to meet the Gy sampling criteria
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
SAG Mill Sampling (Fimiston Circuit)
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Mechanical Sampling
> Mechanical Sampling provides:
― regular collection of unbiased samples

― deliver standards of operating reliability and sampling accuracy
> Automatic or mechanical samplers operate by moving a collecting

device through the material as it falls from a conveyor or a pipe
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Mechanical Sampling - Nine Rules
1. The cutter must fully traverse the stream with each cut
2. The cutter must have parallel edges and cut at 90 degrees to
the flow
3. The cutter opening must be at least 3 times larger than the
largest particle in the stream
4. The cutter velocity must be constant
5. The following stream must be in free fall
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Mechanical Sampling – Nine Rules (cont.)
5. The sample must pass quickly through the cutter to prevent
build-up or blockage
6. Sample must not spill from the cutter
7. The cutter should not degrade the sample
8. Changes in moisture content between stream and sample
should not occur
9. The minimum cutter aperture should be 30 mm
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Mechanical Sampler
Ratio between cutter width and the diameter of the largest

particle should be 20:1
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Modern Sampler
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Mechanical Sampling (cont.)
Most common samplers are:
> Linear cross-stream sampler
> Linear sampler in direction of flow
> Rotating arc path sampler
> Vezin Sample
> Poppet Sampler
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Vezin Sampler
― Consists of a revolving cutter in the shape

of a circular sector
― Various discharge angles up to 70° to

prevent material hang-up
― Adjustable sector cutter openings
― Inspection doors
― Small capacity fine size sampling
― Widely used for both slurry and solids

sampling
― Various models and linings to suit process

conditions
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Poppet Sampler
― Consist of a pneumatically
operated piston immersed
directly into the pipeline
― The cycle of opening and

closing is controlled by an
automatic timer, sample
level controller
― Pulp sampling
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Tilted Arc Sampler
― Sampling of high capacity solids

streams
― Coarse materials (up to 4 in. top

size)
― Rotating scoop
― Operation can be continuous, or

on single rotation cycles with a
timer
― Capability to handle more difficult

applications in moist, adhering
materials
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Rotating Splitter
― Cutter edges forming divider

segments
― Cutter edges subjected to

uniform wear
― Bias is avoided
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Linear Cross-Stream Sampler
– Properly sized cutter
– Travelling at the correct speed
– Produces a very accurate

sample of the stream
– Most economical sampler for

metallurgical assaying
– Applications at pipe,
conveyor, chute and launder
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Sliding Plate Sampler
― Used for primary or secondary

sampling of solids in vertical
chutes
― Accurate sampling of granular,

wet and sticky materials
― Sample prevented from process

air borne particles
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Linear Sampler in Direction of Flow
― The swing-arm sampler and

slotted belt sampler
― Sampling by linear traverse in

the direction of flow
― Cutters are integral to the

mechanisms
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Swing-Arm Sampler
― Consists of a bucket and drive

mechanism, preferably
hydraulic
― The bucket is driven on a path

to intersect the flow stream
― Cutter edges are positioned

perpendicular to the trajectory
― Loaded bucket is inverted for

discharge into a chute
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
> Conveyor Belt Sampler
― Accurate sampling of fines

to coarse material
― Typical used for sampling of

mill feed, concentrate, coal,
iron ore, sinter, pellets,
aggregates, limestone, etc.
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Mechanical Samplers
> Liquid Samplers
― Drip Samplers
― Placed within a pipe line,
― Are the most common and cheapest of samplers for liquids
― A valve, (gate, needle, K-type) is used to regulate the
sample flow
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Sampling
> Sampling Problems:

― The qualitative problem in broken ore sampling
― Particle intrusion, inter-granulation
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Plant Example
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Sample Preparation Area
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Sample Preparation Area (cont.)
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Sampling Errors
> Assay error (laboratory measurement error on small samples)
> Heterogeneity of material being sampled
> Fluctuations in mass or volume flow rate, causing error in the
sample
> Segregation and classification through cross section of
material on the belt
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Assaying
> Is the measurement of the amount of a substance in its

environment
― E.g. the determination of cyanide in CIP solutions or the

determination of gold in mine ore
> Assaying for gold is used to:
― Evaluate ore reserves
― Monitor mine feed to the processing plant
― Assay the bullion purity
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
(AAS)
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
AAS (cont.)
> Sir Alan Walsh-CSIRO-Inventor

> AAS is an analytical tool
― It measures the amount of light absorbed by a metal
element
― For instance, gold has the wavelength of 242.8nm
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Assaying – Aqua Regia Method
> A known weight of ore is digested in hydrochloric and nitric acid
> A known volume of solution is contacted with DIBK
> Sprayed into the AAS to give a direct gold reading
> The Aqua Regia method is cheaper than fire assay but prone to under
assaying of sulphides and lateritic material
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Aqua Regia Assay
Au (s) + 3 NO3- (aq) + 6 H+ (aq) → Au3+ (aq) + 3 NO2 (g) + 3 H2O (l)
Au3+ (aq) + 4 Cl- (aq) → AuCl4- (aq)
The oxidation reaction can also be written with nitric oxide as the
product rather than nitrogen dioxide:
Au (s) + NO3- (aq) + 4 H+ (aq) → Au3+ (aq) + NO (g) + 2 H2O (l)
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Assaying (cont.)
> Fire Assay Method
― Accurate method of determining precious metals in ores
― Collection of the precious metals in a lead button
> Four dominant stages:
― Fusion
― Cupellation
― Acid Digest
― AAS
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Fire Assay
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Fusion and Cupellation
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Weighing or AAS Reading
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
XRF Assay
> Pressed powders
> Glass beads
SIZE ASSAY DISTRIBUTION
WEIGHT %
50
IRON
45 PHOSPHOROUS
40 SILICA
ALUMINA
35
% DIST
30
25
20
15
10
0
38.00 25.00 15.00 10.00 6.30 4.00 3.35 1.18 -1.18
SIZE (mm)
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
XRF Assay Facilities
XRF facilities at Cloudbreak
Robots processing XRF samples
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
General Analytical Procedures CIP/CIL
> pH measurement
> Cyanide concentration
> Alkalinity
> Oxygen measurement
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
(cont.)
> pH measurement
― Used to maintain optimum leach conditions
for the cyanide
― Generally above 10.5
― In saline solutions sometimes down to 8.5
prevents precipitation of insoluble salts
> To measure pH, a pH meter and probe is used
― Calibration at pH 7.00 and pH 9.23 or 4.00
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
(cont.)
Cyanide concentration
> Cyanide analysis in the leach and tailings
> Titration with silver ions
2CN ( aq)  Ag ( aq)  Ag (CN ) 2 ( aq)

Ag (CN ) 2 ( aq)  Ag ( aq)  Ag[ Ag (CN ) 2 ]( ppt)
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
(cont.)
> Titration:
― 1ml or 1 drop (10%) of

potassium iodine added to 10
mL of cyanide solution
― Solution titrated with silver

nitrate until change in colour
― End solution is of milky

appearance
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
(cont.)
> E.g.
– 3.000 g of AgNO3 were dissolved in 1 litre of solution and
is thus 0.3% AgNO3
Mwt ( AgNO3 )  107.9 ( Ag )  14.01( N )  3  16.00 (O)

169.0 g
m 3.000
 moles ( AgNO3 )  
M 169.0
 0.01775 moles
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
(cont.)
> For every ml of AgNO3 there exists:
g / ml ( NaCN )  moles of AgNO3  moles per liter  moles of cyanide in the sample
0.01775 49
 1 
1000 20
5
 4.349 10 g NaCN / mL of solution
 4.349 10 5 kg NaCN / tonne of solution
 0.004349 % NaCN in solution
> If 15.25 moles of AgNO3 are used there is:
― 0.004327 x 15.25 = 0.066% NaCN in solution
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
(cont.)
> Alkalinity
― Protective alkali
― Stops decomposition of the cyanide in solution
― Analysis for calcine (CaO)
― Titration with oxalic acid
> Titration
― 10 ml of cyanide solution mixed with phenolphthalein
― Titrated with oxalic acid until colour change
― Endpoint color should be pinkish
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Marcy Scale-Density
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
MLA
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
(cont.)
> Oxygen measurement
― Critical factor in controlling the leach
rate
― TPS type meter used for measurement
― Calibrated for 0 ppm in sodium
metabisulphite and in air for 7 ppm
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
Instream Analysis
> AMDEL Probes
> Courier Systems
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
IRONSCAN – Al, Si in Ore
>> > RESOURCE

Mineral PROJECTS
ProcessingPROJECTS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
> Risk Management
SERVICES
THANK YOU
www.mets.net.au
> Mineral Processing > Engineering Design > Specialist Services > Simulation & Optimisation > Construction Management > Risk Management > Training

8 MP Sampling and Assaying

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

8 MP Sampling and Assaying

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MINERAL PROCESSING COURSE

Sampling & Assaying

Click to edit Master subtitle style

> Sampling is data collection

> Purpose of sampling:-

― Qualitative sample for assaying

― Maintain process quality

― Improve process control

> Small proportion represents the bulk

>> > RESOURCE

― Particle size variation in belt loading

― Settling out of particles in the pulp due to velocity change

>> > RESOURCE

― Performed at a uniform speed

― Produces increment samples

>> > RESOURCE

Two sampling methods:

> Automatic or Mechanical

>> > RESOURCE

> Coning and quartering

> Pipe sampling

> Shovel sampling

> Grab sampling

>> > RESOURCE

Coning and Quartering:

> Relies on its radial symmetry to give four identical samples

> Two opposite corners are taken as the sample

> Other two corners are discarded

> Should not be used for accuracy sampling

>> > RESOURCE

> Splitting of sub-sample dry, free flowing material

portions by the slots

> Accurate sampling

>> > RESOURCE

> Is a piece of pipe

and two short nipples to form a handle

> Is thrust vertically to the bottom of the heap at regular intervals

> Withdrawn and pounded with a hammer to release the sample

>> > RESOURCE

> Involves taking a series of small scoops of sample and

> The number of piles is determined by the sample size

> Individual scoops are placed on each pile in succession,

> The number of scoops per pile range from 10 to 30 or more

>> > RESOURCE

>> > RESOURCE

> Taking a sample from the sample container by scoop

> Grab sampling is not recommended as a sub-

> It fails to meet the Gy sampling criteria

>> > RESOURCE

>> > RESOURCE

> Mechanical Sampling provides:

― regular collection of unbiased samples

> Automatic or mechanical samplers operate by moving a collecting

>> > RESOURCE

2. The cutter must have parallel edges and cut at 90 degrees to

3. The cutter opening must be at least 3 times larger than the

largest particle in the stream

4. The cutter velocity must be constant

5. The following stream must be in free fall

>> > RESOURCE

5. The sample must pass quickly through the cutter to prevent

6. Sample must not spill from the cutter

7. The cutter should not degrade the sample

8. Changes in moisture content between stream and sample