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- Nina, Lidia, et al.
(författare)
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Diagenesis of the Pennsylvanian –Lower Permian Copacabana Formation, western Bolivian Altiplano
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of South American Earth Sciences. - : Elsevier. - 0895-9811 .- 1873-0647. ; 100
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This contribution presents the diagenetic evolution of limestone deposits in the Copacabana Formation that occurs in the northern Altiplano, in the Lake Titicaca area of western Bolivia. The best-exposed stratigraphic succession of the Copacabana Formation occurs in the Yampupata section, and its division into five facies successions is based on petrographic analysis, cathodoluminescence, x-ray fluorescence analysis (chemical composition) and stable isotope data (δ18O and δ13C). The results showed that the carbonate rocks experienced early marine diagenetic processes such as micritization during or after the deposition (eogenesis). The initial burial event (mesogenesis 1), characterized by stabilization of temperature-water carbonates by freshwater, and represented by bladed calcite-cement, equant calcite cement, dissolution, dolomitization, neomorphism, silicification and compaction (physical), occurred in shallow burial conditions. During the second burial episode (mesogenesis 2), in deeper burial environment the processes include: compaction (physical and chemical) and neomorphism. Diagenetic processes have affected reservoir quality in the Copacabana Formation during the mesodiagenesis, and reduced the conditions for development of high-quality conventional hydrocarbon reservoirs. Depleted O and C stable isotope signatures indicate that these carbonate rocks deposits underwent both meteoric and burial diagenesis including moderate water-rock interaction.
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- Warlo, Mathis, et al.
(författare)
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Emphasizing the importance of the expert user and a case-specific mineral database in automated quantitative mineralogy techniques – An inter-lab comparative study using QEMSCAN
- 2020
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Ingår i: EGU General Assembly 2020. - Vienna : Copernicus GmbH.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- With the development of QEM*SEM, the first automated scanning electron microscopy (ASEM) system, by CSIRO in the 1970s, mineral and texture quantification in the extraction industries was revolutionised. Since then, several systems have emerged (QEMSCAN, MLA, Mineralogic, TIMA, AMICS, INCA-mineral) that now find widespread application not only in the industry but also in science. The popularity of these systems is owed to their ability to rapidly and reliably quantify the mineralogy and textures in a variety of sample types including polished rock samples, thin sections and epoxy mounts of both whole and particulate samples. However, despite their apparent automatization, to guarantee high quality data and reliable results, a key role falls to the operator. It is through a mineral database that the raw data collected by EDS-detectors is converted into quantitative mineralogical data, and the database is adjusted by the operator on a case by case basis.In this study we qualitatively compare analyses of the same sample at two different QEMSCAN labs, Camborne School of Mines (CSM) in the UK and Boliden AB in Sweden, to highlight differences in their approach towards analysis and set-up of the database, and the consequences this has for the results. Furthermore, through modification of the database used at Boliden AB, several methods of how the results can be influenced are demonstrated.The selected sample is a polished thin section of mineralised vein from a drill core from the Liikavaara East Cu-(W-Au) deposit in northern Sweden. The sample contains massive pyrite and pyrrhotite associated with quartz, silicates, and fine-grained clusters of carbonates and Fe-oxides. Chalcopyrite fills cracks in pyrite. Some sphalerite and scheelite are observed as well as traces of cassiterite, molybdenite, and Au-, Ag-, Bi-, and Te-minerals.Compared to the analysis at CSM, the analysis at Boliden AB showed an overestimation of the chalcopyrite content, limited differentiation of gangue phases, and problems with identification of phases at scan resolution (~5 µm). These differences could subsequently be reduced through editing of the database.Application of a software-tool called the ‘boundary-phase processor’ was used to correct erroneous mineral classifications resulting from mixed signals at grain boundaries, which had caused pyrite grains to show a false coating of chalcopyrite. Gangue phases were differentiated through subdivision of phase-categories, although for higher accuracy comparison with standards and fine-tuning of mineral-entries in the database would be necessary. Element-filters in the database allowed identification of phases of specific elements, e.g. Au, at or below scan resolution despite mixed signals with the surrounding phases.While data from both analyses was generally similar, the inter-lab comparison clearly demonstrated that more detailed information could be attained with ASEM systems through optimisation of the database. In the mining industry, a loss in the level of detail is often accepted in favour of time spent on data processing. However, particularly the characterisation and quantification of complex ores and critical metals, which often occur only in traces and fine grain sizes in ore deposits, require a high level of detail to allow efficient processing of the ore.
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| 7. |
- Warlo, Mathis
(författare)
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Improving trace metal characterisation of ore deposits through multi-modal, multi-scale, and multi-dimensional micro-analysis
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The variety and amount of metals consumed by human society is ever increasing. Meeting the demand requires exploration for new ore deposits, efficient production of active mines, and improved efficiency in metal recycling. A key element in mining-related enterprises is the improvement of ore characterisation. The study of the geology and mineralogy of ore deposits allows us to infer the processes behind ore genesis. This knowledge guides important exploration and processing decisions. Over the last few decades, technological advancements have enabled ore characterisation at increasing levels of detail. This has brought the trace metal mineralogy of ore deposits into focus. In many cases, trace metals occur as extremely fine-grained minerals or as lattice-bound impurities in the more common minerals in ore deposits. Hence, their study requires the use of micro-analytical techniques. Trace metals and their minerals can carry crucial information on the conditions of ore formation. They can be of economic value, harmful to the environment, or of strategic economic and geopolitical interest (e.g. Critical Raw Materials). Trace metal characterisation is therefore highly relevant to research, industry, and society. In this project, micro-analysis was performed on the Liikavaara Östra Cu-(W-Au) deposit in northern Sweden to research the trace metal mineralogy of Au, Ag, Bi, Mo, Re, and W. The main goal of the project was the development, optimisation, and integration of various micro-analytical techniques for ore characterisation. The project was subdivided into four studies (scientific contributions): (1) Drill core logging, whole-rock geochemistry, and light microscopy were applied to identify lithology, alteration, and mineralisation of the deposit. An intrusion in the footwall, potentially related to ore genesis, was dated with LA-ICP-MS. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry was used to gain insight into the trace metal mineralogy of the deposit. This study provided an overview of the geology and mineralogy of the deposit and served as a basis for sample selection and data interpretation of subsequent studies. (2) A polished thin section of the ore containing trace metal minerals was scanned by automated mineralogy (QEMSCAN) at Boliden AB to assess the potential of trace metal mineral quantification in a production-focused environment. To delineate instrument limitations from operator input the same sample was also scanned at Camborne School of Mines, UK. Detection of trace metal minerals was generally difficult due to their fine-grained nature. Yet, quantification could be improved by optimisation of the mineral classification library. (3) Four polished epoxy-mounted drill core pieces of ore were analysed by automated mineralogy (Mineralogic) and x-ray computed tomography (XCT). In two samples, a smaller region of interest was drilled and re-analysed at higher resolution. Results from automated mineralogy were used to segment and interpret the XCT data. Vice versa, XCT data provided 3D spatial context for the 2D scans. (4) Three polished thin section pieces with grains of molybdenite, pyrite, and native Bi, all with Au-inclusions, were analysed by synchrotron radiation x-ray fluorescence mapping at the NanoMAX beamline of the MAX IV synchrotron facility in Lund, Sweden. Element fluorescence maps down to 50 nm pixel size revealed the distribution of micro- and nano-inclusions and lattice-bound impurities in the mineral grains. The studies demonstrated benefits and challenges of the various micro-analytical techniques, and how and what they may contribute to ore characterisation. Results allowed linking and integrating the techniques into a smart analytical flow to optimise the characterisation of trace metal minerals in ore deposits. This is useful for both ore geology research and the mining industry.
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| 8. |
- Warlo, Mathis, et al.
(författare)
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Multi-Scale X-Ray Computed Tomography Analysis to Aid Automated Mineralogy in Ore Geology Research
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Earth Science. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-6463. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ore characterization is crucial for efficient and profitable production of mineral products from an ore deposit. Analysis is typically performed at various scales (meter to microns) in a sequential fashion, where sample volume is reduced with increasing spatial resolution due to the increasing costs and run times of analysis. Thus, at higher resolution, sampling and data quality become increasingly important to represent the entire ore deposit. In particular, trace metal mineral characterization requires high-resolution analysis, due to the typical very fine grain sizes (sub-millimeter) of trace metal minerals. Automated Mineralogy (AM) is a key technique in the mining industry to quantify process-relevant mineral parameters in ore samples. Yet the limitation to two-dimensional analysis of flat sample surfaces constrains the sampling volume, introduces an undesired stereological error, and makes spatial interpretation of textures and structures difficult. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) allows three-dimensional imaging of rock samples based on the x-ray linear attenuation of the constituting minerals. Minerals are visually differentiated though not chemically classified. In this study, decimeter to millimeter large ore samples were analyzed at resolutions from 45 to 1 μm by AM and XCT to investigate the potential of multi-scale correlative analysis between the two techniques. Mineralization styles of Au, Bi-minerals, scheelite, and molybdenite were studied. Results show that AM can aid segmentation (mineralogical classification) of the XCT data, and vice versa, that XCT can guide (sub-)sampling (e.g., for heavy trace minerals) for AM analysis and provide three-dimensional context to the two-dimensional quantitative AM data. XCT is particularly strong for multi-scale analysis, increasingly higher resolution scans of progressively smaller volumes (e.g., by mini-coring), while preserving spatial reference between (sub-)samples. However, results also reveal challenges and limitations with the segmentation of the XCT data and the data integration of AM and XCT, particularly for quantitative analysis, due to their different functionalities. In this study, no stereological error could be quantified as no proper grain separation of the segmented XCT data was performed. Yet, some well-separated grains exhibit a potential stereological effect. Overall, the integration of AM with XCT improves the output of both techniques and thereby ore characterization in general.
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