Accurate real-time elemental analysis is one of the most important online measurements to enable efficient flotation circuit control and to achieve optimal metal recovery. In base metals concentrators, online elemental analysers have been utilized for process control since the 1960s, contributing to improved process performance and greater understanding of the process itself, in real time. In gold concentrators, typically the valuable metal content in most process streams is so low that direct measurement of gold has only been possible in product concentrate streams. Traditionally, gold content within flotation feed has been estimated according to direct measurement of elements such as iron, copper and arsenic. These indirect measurement models have proven useful in some applications whilst providing a reliable estimation for real-time gold content. However, there are many applications where indirect measurement models are not feasible due to changes in ore properties or due to the presence of free gold that cannot be estimated according to other elements. This paper presents results of direct gold measurement using an online X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analyser which has been optimised for the measurement of precious metals.
CITATION:Koskinen, T, Veki, L, Vlimaa, J, Pelli, A, Kresaar, L and Timperi, J, 2019. Online gold analysis using X-ray fluorescence, in Proceedings World Gold 2019, pp 624632 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).