TY - JOUR
T1 - Phase distribution identification in the column leaching of low grade ores using MRI
AU - Fagan, M.A.
AU - Sederman, A.J.
AU - Harrison, S.T.L.
AU - Johns, Michael
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Heap bioleaching is gaining importance as an approach for the recovery of valuable metals (e.g. Cu2+) from low grade ores. In this process iron and/or sulfur oxidising microorganisms are used to aid the oxidation of base metal sulfides in the ore, thereby liberating the metal ions into solution. Leach performance is strongly influenced by the contacting of the leach solution and the ore particles. In order to better understand the distribution of the leaching solution on the pore scale in these heaps, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to acquire images non-invasively of a section of an irrigated ore bed. This was made possible by the use of specialist MRI acquisition sequences suited to the magnetically heterogeneous environment as presented by the ore material. From the images we were able to determine the pore-occupancy of the liquid and gas phases and to provide novel measurement of the interfacial area between air, leach solution and ore. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
AB - Heap bioleaching is gaining importance as an approach for the recovery of valuable metals (e.g. Cu2+) from low grade ores. In this process iron and/or sulfur oxidising microorganisms are used to aid the oxidation of base metal sulfides in the ore, thereby liberating the metal ions into solution. Leach performance is strongly influenced by the contacting of the leach solution and the ore particles. In order to better understand the distribution of the leaching solution on the pore scale in these heaps, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to acquire images non-invasively of a section of an irrigated ore bed. This was made possible by the use of specialist MRI acquisition sequences suited to the magnetically heterogeneous environment as presented by the ore material. From the images we were able to determine the pore-occupancy of the liquid and gas phases and to provide novel measurement of the interfacial area between air, leach solution and ore. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
U2 - 10.1016/j.mineng.2012.10.005
DO - 10.1016/j.mineng.2012.10.005
M3 - Article
SN - 0892-6875
VL - 48
SP - 94
EP - 99
JO - Minerals Engineering
JF - Minerals Engineering
ER -