Benefits of On-line Grade Control - Case Study

March 30, 2021

This case study run by IMA Engineering in a low grade Nickel Mine highlights the benefits of On-line drill cuttings analysis.

IMA Engineering carried out grade control study in a low grade nickel mine, utilizing the new Percussive Drill Sampler - Analyzer (PDSA) trailer mounted version.

The goal of the study was to compare the current mine grade control method with the new continuous On-Line sampling and analysis method, and calculate it’s effect to the mining economy.

The test was done during normal blast hole production drilling which was done with 140mm bit size and 12 degrees inclined holes. A drilling pattern with a 3,6 m burden, 5,0 m spacing, and 1,5m sub drill was used. The 15-meter-high 100,000-ton bench was located in the waste-ore contact zone. The ore-waste cut-off grade used was Ni% (Eqv) 0,07%.

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What is IMA Engineering?

IMA Engineering has used on-line sensors for analyzing ore and waste rock in mining for over 25 years. Today IMA on-line sensors are used in various stages of the mining process including on-line analysis of drill cores, drill chips, ore, and waste in loader buckets, ROM ore analysis on conveyor belts and in bulk ore sorting, as well as slurry analysis in concentrators.

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