I am trying to identify the minerals present in copper-sulfide flotation tailings of Okiep copper mine. It has been a challenge as there is a mix of primary and secondary minerals in the samples. I am a Masters student so basically a beginner at doing such XRD analysis.
Dear Mrs. Molabe,
we were faced with similar problems when we studied a mine in Namibia which is quite similar to yours. In the cited paper below which available on the Researchgate Server you will find out how we approached this issue.
DILL, H.G., PÖLLMANN, H. , BOSECKER, K., HAHN, L. and MWIYA, S.(2002) Supergene mineralization in mining residues of the Matchless cupreous pyrite deposit (Namibia) – A clue
to the origin of modern and fossil duricrusts in semiarid climates.- Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 75: 43-70.
I can only recommend to use different methods such as EMPA, SEM-EDX/WDX to investigate the residue of the ore mineralization and the newly formed mineraloids" created by the processing and reaction of additives with the ore and gangue minerals. If you need further information also read my papers on APS minerals, and orecretes. XRD will be good as far as the original ore and gangue minerals are concerned but it is little use in case of poorly crystallized "mineraloids" which are chemical compounds or minerals in the making. You may only find some of the unreacted flotation additives. Therefore you should also mineralogiscally deal with the chemicals used during processing of the ore.
I wish you much success
H.G.Dill
Thank you so much Harald G. Dill . Your advice makes a lot of sense, I am having a look at the cited paper and it is proving to be a helpful guide to my mineral analysis.
Thank you so much for responding to my question.
Best wishes,
Motlatji