Hyperspectral Imaging Applications to Geometallurgy: Utilizing Blast Hole Mineralogy to Predict Au-Cu Recovery and Throughput at the Phoenix Mine, Nevada

摘要

The Phoenix mine and predecessor operations in north-central Nevada have produced an aggregate of 5.2 Moz of gold and 550 million pounds of copper from an Eocene-aged Au-Cu porphyry-related skarn. The complex skarn mineralogy intimately associated with ore-grade mineralization poses significant challenges to blasting, mining, comminution, and process operations. These challenges are rooted in highly variable silicate mineralogy, which manifests as fine-grained, submillimeter grain-size, generally green colored rocks that inhibit accurate identification in the field. Prior to this study, all mineralogical data utilized in Phoenix mine ore control were sourced from blast hole cuttings mapped by ore control geologists in the field-the standard practice at many modern mine sites. At Phoenix, a direct link between mineralogy and mill performance was recognized; however, mineralogical data captured in the field was not sufficient to optimize process operations.