Assaying, Microscopy, Mineralogy & XRF/XRD

Assaying, Microscopy, Mineralogy & XRF/XRD

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Metallic Screening and Milling of samples (1 reply and 1 comment)

R
Rene
7 years ago
Rene 7 years ago

I would like to know what you would suggest. We have samples that normally requires that metallic portions be removed by screening on a 600um screen and this is assayed to obtain the gold value. The undersized portion is milled to 80% passing 75um. 

Will you rather mill the complete sample before screening or first screen and then mill? Will the metallic bits not perhaps damage the mill pots?

 

 

b
Robert
7 years ago
Robert 7 years ago
Like
1 like by David

I can remember using this procedure with native copper ores (in the distant past). There is risk with trying to mill metallic particles that the metal will smear on the milling equipment and be lost to analysis. It is also difficult to comminute metals. Does the procedure involve analysis of the recovered metallic bits?  

R
Rene
7 years ago

Hi Robert thank you for your reply. Yes, the metallic bits are screened out and assayed for gold - normally a very small portion of the original sample. This is done using a 600um screen. Some labs mill the complete sample containing the ore and metal. This to me is a concern as I believe it can damage the mill pot and as you said it will smear on the milling equipment and lower results could be obtained.

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