Characterisation and Beneficiation of Complex Ores for Sustainable Use of Mineral Resources

Natural resources are limited, and the availability of easily extractable ores is decreasing, necessitating the development of new capabilities for beneficiating complex ores to selectively extract target minerals and ensure sustainable mineral resource use. This paper aims to provide a brief summary of characterization and beneficiation methods for complex ores. The methodology involves discussing currently available quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to extract useful information for the selective beneficiation of complex ores, with a particular focus on refractory gold ores. The characterization of complex ores is essential since it determines the appropriate ore processing flowsheet based on mineralogy. The comprehensive assessment includes mineral and chemical compositions, grain size, and liberation degrees, which are crucial for designing effective beneficiation processes. Destructive and non-destructive methods for quantitative analysis, such as atomic absorption spectrometry and x-ray fluorescence, are highlighted, along with qualitative imaging techniques like x-ray diffraction. The results indicate that understanding ore mineralogy is vital for developing efficient beneficiation processes, particularly for complex ores, paving the way for improved sustainability in mineral resource exploitation.