Skip to main content
DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY (DIT)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Section: Mining Section
Module Code: MMU 07 2 05
Module Name: Mineral Recovery and
OreTreatment
Lecturer: Geo. SAMORA, Godwin M.
Module Contents
1. Chemical composition of ore minerals
extracted
2. Ore extraction, separation, and
concentration of minerals from raw ores
3. Costing, materials and labor requirements
for ore processing plant
4. Ore processing technique
5. Procedures used for ore processing
technique
DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY (DIT)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Section: Mining Section
Module Code: MMU 07 4 02
Module Name: Mineral Recovery and
OreTreatment
Topic 1: Chemical Composition of Ore
Lecturer: Geo. SAMORA, Godwin M.
01. Chemical Composition of Ore
 Chemical analysis of ore minerals is essential
in mining engineering for determining mineral
content, ore grade, processing suitability,
economic value, and environmental impact.
 Accurate chemical characterization supports
exploration, beneficiation, metallurgical
processing, quality control, and resource
evaluation within modern mining operations
and mineral industries.
02. Learning Objectives
By the end of this presentation, students should be
able to:
 Define ore mineral composition,
 Explain methods used in chemical analysis,
 Identify laboratory analytical techniques,
 Interpret analytical results,
 Evaluate ore quality, and
 Understand the importance of chemical
composition analysis in mining and mineral
processing industries.
03. Introduction to Ore Minerals
 Ore minerals are naturally occurring minerals
containing valuable metals or elements that
can be extracted economically.
 Common ore minerals include chalcopyrite,
hematite, galena, cassiterite, and sphalerite.
 Their chemical composition determines ore
value, processing techniques, recovery
efficiency, and overall economic feasibility of
mining projects.
04. Meaning of Chemical
Composition
 Chemical composition refers to the type
and proportion of chemical elements
present in a mineral or ore sample.
 It describes the concentration of metals,
impurities, gangue materials, and trace
elements.
 Understanding composition helps
determine ore grade, mineral quality, and
appropriate extraction methods.
05. Importance of Chemical
Analysis of Ores
 Chemical analysis provides essential information for:
 Reserve estimation,
 Mine planning,
 Metallurgical testing,
 Process design,
 Product quality control, and
 Environmental management.
 Accurate analysis enables mining engineers to:
 Evaluate economic viability,
 Optimize mineral recovery,
 Reduce operational losses, and
 Maintain compliance with industrial standards.
06. Sampling Procedures in Ore
Analysis
 Proper sampling is critical for obtaining
representative ore samples for laboratory
analysis.
 Sampling procedures include random sampling,
channel sampling, grab sampling, and drill-core
sampling.
 Errors during sampling may produce inaccurate
analytical results, affecting reserve calculations,
mine valuation, and mineral processing
decisions.
07. Sample Preparation
Procedures
 Sample preparation involves crushing,
grinding, drying, splitting, and homogenizing
ore samples before analysis.
 Proper preparation ensures uniform particle
size and eliminates contamination.
 Accurate sample preparation improves
analytical precision, reliability, reproducibility,
and consistency of laboratory results used
in mining engineering applications.
08. Physical Examination of Ore
Minerals
 Physical examination involves observing mineral
color, luster, hardness, streak, cleavage, density,
and texture.
 These physical properties assist in preliminary
mineral identification before laboratory testing.
 Physical examination provides important
geological information supporting chemical
analysis and mineralogical interpretation of
extracted ore materials.
09. Wet Chemical Analysis
Methods
 Wet chemical analysis involves dissolving ore
samples using acids and analyzing chemical
constituents through titration, gravimetric
analysis, or precipitation methods.
 These techniques are widely used for
determining metal concentrations,
impurities, and chemical reactions within ore
samples during metallurgical and laboratory
investigations.
10. Instrumental Analytical
Techniques
 Modern analytical instruments improve accuracy,
speed, and sensitivity during ore analysis.
 Common techniques include:
 Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS),
 X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF),
 Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), and
 X-Ray Diffraction (XRD).
 These methods determine elemental
composition, mineral phases, and trace element
concentrations efficiently.
11. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
Analysis
 XRF analysis determines elemental
composition by measuring fluorescent X-
rays emitted from ore samples exposed
to high-energy radiation.
 XRF is rapid, non-destructive, and highly
accurate for analyzing major and trace
elements in mining, exploration, quality
control, and mineral processing
laboratories worldwide.
12. Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy (AAS)
 Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy measures
metal concentrations by analyzing light
absorption by vaporized atoms.
 AAS is commonly used for detecting gold,
copper, iron, zinc, lead, and other metals in
ore samples.
 The method offers high precision, sensitivity,
and reliability in mineral analysis.
13. Interpretation of Chemical
Analysis Results
 Interpretation of analytical results
involves evaluating metal grades, impurity
levels, mineral associations, and economic
significance.
 Results are compared with industrial
standards and cutoff grades to determine
ore quality, processing suitability, market
value, and potential profitability of mining
and extraction operations.
14. Challenges in Ore Chemical
Analysis
 Challenges in ore analysis include:
 Sample contamination,
 Improper sampling,
 Equipment calibration errors,
 Complex mineralogy,
 Low-grade ores, and
 Analytical inaccuracies.
 Mining laboratories must maintain strict quality
assurance and quality control procedures to ensure
reliable, accurate, and reproducible chemical analysis
results.
15. Challenges in Ore Chemical
Analysis
 Challenges in ore analysis include:
 Sample contamination,
 Improper sampling,
 Equipment calibration errors,
 Complex mineralogy,
 Low-grade ores, and
 Analytical inaccuracies.
 Mining laboratories must maintain strict quality
assurance and quality control procedures to ensure
reliable, accurate, and reproducible chemical analysis
results.
For
Thanks
Listening
Quiz 01: