The Role of Petrology in Optimizing Geometallurgy and Economic Efficiency: From Rock Origin Analysis to Process Domaining

The variability of geological and mineralogical parameters plays a significant role in the metallurgical response of beneficiation processes. Research has shown that characteristics such as the serpentinization of ore and the intensity of alteration can influence metal recovery and rock hardness. In geometallurgy, domaining based on petrological and metallurgical features enables the identification of homogeneous zones within the deposit and aids in optimizing mining and processing operations. Petrology, by providing precise information about the origin, composition, and texture of rocks, serves as a foundation for modeling geometallurgical domains and predicting the processing behavior of rocks. This information is obtained through methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analysis (XRF and ICP-MS), and optical studies. Additionally, analyzing the history of rocks and the relationship between their physical and mechanical properties has significant impacts on the design and optimization of comminution and recovery processes. Ultimately, petrology plays a key role in enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling more precise management of mining processes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Petrology ، Geometallurgy ، Economic Efficiency