SAMPLING , ANALYSIS AND LAB ASSAY
The IMA AutoSampler automates the sampling , sample splitting and sample bag change process , helping preserve the geological structure of the sample in the sample bag for detailed ore , waste border recognition and visual chip logging
dry powders or wet slurries at the concentrator processing plant .
This holistic offering – from exploration , to concentrate , to tailings – is rare in the industry , giving IMA unique insight into the processes the
mining sector undertakes on a routine basis .
“ People like to talk about mineral analysis , but the sample itself is more important ,” Auranen observes . “ Once we have the sampling process refined to the point where it is representative of the orebody in question , then we can start to address the need to improve the time it takes to go from exploration to production .”
Auranen has a view on reducing this industry interval too .
“ To reduce this time , we need to leverage more real-time analysis in the field and reprioritise what we send to a laboratory ,” he said . “ To do this , the mining sector needs to understand where labscale accuracy is critical to decision making and where in-field data can be used effectively to accelerate the transition .”
BoxScan receives mining company boost
UK-based Geotek has been advocating for such a mindset shift in mining , backed by a specialism in highresolution , nondestructive analysis of geological cores .
The company has been enjoying more recognition across the
mining space of late , thanks to several BoxScan sensor technology references from clients .
Featured on the NOMAD smart exploration rover ( see Mineral Exploration feature on pages 25-28 ) developed by ERG Technology Intelligence , BoxScan , Geotek says , solves the often resource-draining practicalities of acquiring laborious handheld logging measurements using portable X-ray Fluorescence ( pXRF ), nearinfrared , cameras , or goniometers . The technology achieves this by delivering automated and simultaneous acquisition of geotechnical and geochemical parameters from a fielddeployable , core box scanning system .
BoxScan is a modular platform that allows users to choose the most fit-for-purpose multisensor suite for their project . This is augmented with the use of dedicated acquisition software , where scanning parameters for each box or even each metre of core can be amended so that frequency of measurement , type of measurement and integration time of measurement can be optimised .
“ As a result , the BoxScan can be set to the optimal throughput speed needed for the project ,” Geotek says .
The unit can fit in the back of a standard 2.4-m bed pick-up truck for easy transport to remote locations and also runs only on standard power with no cooling required . These features , on top of rugged and reliable handheld field-based sensor technology , means it can operate in the field to provide near-real time results .
In addition to ERG , Ariana Resources , a company focused on the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt , has gone on record as having used the BoxScan technology for multi-parameter automated drill core analysis to ensure it can analyse drill core and RC chips locally and avoid excessive transportation .
“ In addition to standard geological logging , our team are benefitting from the extensive additional data , which is collected , including pXRF , magnetic susceptibility , laser scanning , light spectrometry and photo data analysis , into a single data output ,” Ariana said in a social media post .
BoxScan technology has also been deployed in the Arctic , with De Beers Group using it to scan 1,450 m of drill core samples from its Chidliak diamond project during an eight-week resource evaluation program .
Traditionally the core would be boxed and then shipped to the De Beers petrology lab in Calgary , Alberta , for examination , delaying the start of analysis for weeks .
“ Geotek ’ s site visit to the remote Baffin Island exploration camp marked a significant step for De Beers , incorporating the BoxScan system into its resource evaluation methods ,” Geotek said . “ The visit not only enhanced De Beers ’
16 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2024