Ore-waste and ore type classification using portable XRF: a case study of an iron mine from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9095.v20-162436

Keywords:

Grade control, Mining, X-ray fluorescence, Iron ore, Mine planning

Abstract

Grade control is a fundamental activity for Short-Term Mine Planning as it validates the ore-waste and ore type classification of mine faces. Geological mapping and quasi-mining sampling provide indispensable information for the Short-Term Mine Planning team to update block models and for grade control of the run-of-mine (ROM). However, laboratory turnaround can take too long and not be timely for operational needs, affecting mining efficiency. To propose a solution for this issue we tested the accuracy of portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) for ore-waste and ore type classification according to iron and phosphorus grade. Thus, iron ore run-of-mine samples from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero were analyzed with the portable XRF as pressed pellets. As a result, the overall accuracy of ore-waste classification was above 92% for different cut-off grades. On the other hand, while ore type classification had a better accuracy without calibration factors for iron, the use of calibration factors significantly improved the accuracy of ore type classification for phosphorus. Therefore, despite the portable XRF presenting good accuracy for ore-waste and ore type classification, further developments are still necessary on automatic information processing systems and sample support validation so that this analytical tool can be used on a large scale by grade control teams. Finally, the combined use of portable XRF and other techniques, such as Hyperspectral Sensing or XRD, can be of great value for mine operations.

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Author Biographies

  • Emílio Evo Magro Corrêa Urbano, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

    Possui graduação em Engenharia Geológica pela Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (2008) e doutorado em Geologia pela Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD-Portugal). Possui experiência em geologia de mina de curto prazo, caracterização mineralógica, mapeamento geológico aplicado à depósitos minerais, modelagem geológica e exploração geológica.

  • João Felipe Coimbra Leite Costa, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

    Possui graduação em Engenharia de Minas pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (1983), mestrado em Engenharia de Minas, Metalúrgica e de Materiais pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (1992) e doutorado em Earth Sciences Dept - The University of Queensland (1997). Atualmente, é pesquisador da Fundação Luiz Englert e professor titular da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Tem experiência na área de Engenharia de Minas, com ênfase em Geoestatística, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: geoestatística, avaliação de depósitos e simulação.

  • Leonardo Martins Graça, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

    Doutorado e Mestrado em Evolução Crustal e Recursos Naturais pela Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Experiência profissional na área de planejamento e modelamento de Mina, operação de mina, usina de concentração, caracterização mineralógica aplicada ao processo de pelotização. Professor assistente 1, área de atuação mineralogia e gemologia.

  • Ricardo Augusto Cipriano Scholz, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

    Possui graduação em Geologia pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (2000), mestrado em Geologia pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (2002) e doutorado em Geologia pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (2006). Atualmente é pesquisador colaborador da Universidade de Zagreb e professor Adjunto II da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Tem experiência na área de Geociências, com ênfase em mineralogia e gemologia, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: pegmatito, diamante, phosphate, topázio, prospecção mineral e espectroscopia.

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Published

2020-06-17

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2020)

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How to Cite

Urbano, E. E. M. C., Costa, J. F. C. L., Graça, L. M., & Scholz, R. A. C. (2020). Ore-waste and ore type classification using portable XRF: a case study of an iron mine from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil. Geologia USP. Série Científica, 20(2), 3-15. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9095.v20-162436