Determination of Mineral Liberation of a Bauxite Ore Based on 3D Compositional and Textural Characteristics Using X-ray Microtomography

Microscope-based automated image analysis systems have been used to obtain data regarding mineral liberation. However, this kind of analysis leads to stereological bias due to the intrinsic two-dimensionality characteristic of the technique. Three-dimensional imaging techniques such as X-ray microtomography comes as an alternative method to measure liberation. We explored the potentiality of high-resolution X-ray microtomography to investigate the characteristics of liberation of a Brazilian bauxite. Grade distributions in 2D and 3D were correspondent when all possible cross-sections were considered in 2D. However, 2D surface exposure did not converge accurately to the 3D method due to the loss of 3D information.

Automated summary

In this study, high-resolution X-ray microtomography was used to investigate the liberation characteristics of Brazilian bauxite. The grade distributions in 2D and 3D were found to be corresponding when considering all possible cross-sections in 2D, but the 2D surface exposure did not accurately converge to the 3D method due to the loss of 3D information.