Mineralogical solutions for pyrometallurgical problems
L Andrews, P den Hoed

Mineralogy, traditionally associated with concentrator studies, is being increasingly applied to problems in pyrometallurgy. Such investigations commonly make use of a number of techniques, and the results are combined for a meaningful interpretation, which can lead to a successful solution for the problem. Mineralogical techniques are described for various pyrometallurgical operations. Examples are given of studies and investigations involving mineralogy in chemical-looping combustion, feed monitoring to platinum-smelting furnaces, and losses to slag in base metal and platinum smelting.
Keywords: mineralogy, phase-chemical, chemical-looping combustion, XRD, SEM, EDS, QEMSCAN, PGM, slag, matte, ilmenite.