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Use of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and 3D image analysis to quantify mineral dissemination and pore space in oxide copper ore particles

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Abstract

Mineral dissemination and pore space distribution in ore particles are important features that influence heap leaching performance. To quantify the mineral dissemination and pore space distribution of an ore particle, a cylindrical copper oxide ore sample (ϕ4.6 mm × 5.6 mm) was scanned using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT), a nondestructive imaging technology, at a spatial resolution of 4.85 μm. Combined with three-dimensional (3D) image analysis techniques, the main mineral phases and pore space were segmented and the volume fraction of each phase was calculated. In addition, the mass fraction of each mineral phase was estimated and the result was validated with that obtained using traditional techniques. Furthermore, the pore phase features, including the pore size distribution, pore surface area, pore fractal dimension, pore centerline, and the pore connectivity, were investigated quantitatively. The pore space analysis results indicate that the pore size distribution closely fits a log-normal distribution and that the pore space morphology is complicated, with a large surface area and low connectivity. This study demonstrates that the combination of HRXCT and 3D image analysis is an effective tool for acquiring 3D mineralogical and pore structural data.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51304076) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China (No. 14JJ4064).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Information Science and Engineering School, Hunan International Economics University, Changsha, 410205, China

    Bao-hua Yang & Shu-yue Wu

  2. Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia

    Bao-hua Yang, Guillermo A. Narsilio & Xiu-xiu Miao

  3. Key Laboratory of High-efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines (Ministry of Education), University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Ai-xiang Wu & Xiu-xiu Miao

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  1. Bao-hua Yang
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  2. Ai-xiang Wu
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  3. Guillermo A. Narsilio
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  4. Xiu-xiu Miao
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  5. Shu-yue Wu
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Correspondence to Ai-xiang Wu.

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Yang, Bh., Wu, Ax., Narsilio, G.A. et al. Use of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and 3D image analysis to quantify mineral dissemination and pore space in oxide copper ore particles. Int J Miner Metall Mater 24, 965–973 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1484-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1484-4

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