Method development of fast MFT sample preparation for XRD measurement of clay chemistry and content

粘土的存在对成熟细粒尾矿的固结有显著影响。识别 粘土矿物的定量是开发有效工程模型的关键，包括聚合物 添加和使用增稠剂，以帮助减少MFT库存。X射线衍射（XRD）是一种多功能的 可用于识别和量化粘土矿物的技术。定性定量的精密度 XRD结果主要依赖于样品制备，这会显著影响样品性质，包括 平均粒度、均匀化、优选取向等。在目前的商业方法中， 分析MFT样品中细粉中的粘土含量需要30天，这可能会减缓任何操作过程 建议治疗MFT。同样，目前缓慢的反应时间也将对任何治疗产生负面影响。 尾矿物种，特别是活尾矿，有效处理这些物种将缓解长期问题 与尾矿处理和控制有关。该项目的成功结果将是发展 用于准确XRD分析的MFT样品的快速制备方法的协议，可能允许更好的 处理这些关键的尾矿物种。应用于活性尾矿将有助于操作员调整化学品 添加剂或絮凝剂在进入尾矿库之前投加，以降低成本。

The consolidation of mature fine tailing (MFT) is significantly affected by the presence of clay. Identification and quantification of clay minerals is key to developing effective engineering models, including polymer addition and utilization of thickening, to help reduce MFT inventories. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a versatile technique that can be used to identify and quantify clay minerals. The precision of qualitative and quantitative XRD results mainly rely on sample preparation that can dramatically influence sample properties, including mean particle size, homogenization, preferred orientation, etc. In the current commercial process, it takes 3 to 4 days to analyze clay contents from fines for MFT samples, which could slow down any operational process proposed to treat MFT. Similarly, the current slow response time will also negatively impact treatment of any tailings species, particularly live tailings, the effective treatment of which would ease long-term problems associated with tailings handling and control. The successful outcome of this project will be the development of a protocol rapid preparation method for MFT samples for accurate XRD analysis, potentially allowing better handling of these key tailings species. Application to live tailings will help operators adjust the chemical additives or flocculants dosage before it goes to the tailing pond to reduce the cost.