High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography and Its Application to Ore Deposits: From Data Acquisition to Quantitative Three-Dimensional Measurements with Case Studies from Ni-Cu-PGE Deposits

Research Article| December 01, 2013 High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography and Its Application to Ore Deposits: From Data Acquisition to Quantitative Three-Dimensional Measurements with Case Studies from Ni-Cu-PGE Deposits Bélinda Godel Bélinda Godel † CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering, Australian Resources Research Centre, 26 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, Western Australia, 6151, Australia †E-mail: belinda.godel@csiro.au Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Bélinda Godel † CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering, Australian Resources Research Centre, 26 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, Western Australia, 6151, Australia †E-mail: belinda.godel@csiro.au Publisher: Society of Economic Geologists First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1554-0774 Print ISSN: 0361-0128 © 2013 Society of Economic Geologists. Economic Geology (2013) 108 (8): 2005–2019. https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.108.8.2005 Article history First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Bélinda Godel; High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography and Its Application to Ore Deposits: From Data Acquisition to Quantitative Three-Dimensional Measurements with Case Studies from Ni-Cu-PGE Deposits. Economic Geology 2013;; 108 (8): 2005–2019. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.108.8.2005 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEconomic Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) is a nondestructive technique that allows exploration of the three-dimensional distribution of minerals and pore space in natural and synthetic rock samples. Recent technological developments allow the characterization of samples (up to few centimeters in diameter) at a resolution down to 0.7 μm. This, combined with the development of dedicated workflows, algorithms, and softwares, is opening new doors for the quantitative three-dimensional characterization of ores at the sample scale. When combined with three-dimensional image analysis, HRXCT provides quantitative three-dimensional mineralogical and textural measurements (volume, shape, three-dimensional relationship) that are impossible to assess accurately by any other method. This manuscript describes the principles of HRXCT and presents dedicated methodologies from data acquisition throught to quantitative three-dimensional measurements. These methodologies are applied to Ni-Cu-PGE ore samples but are suitable for a range of geologic materials. The combination of HRXCT with quantitative three-dimensional image analysis applied to geologic materials hosting ore deposits provides a better understanding of ore mineralogy, ore-forming processes, and parameters required for mineral or metallurgical processing, with benefit for both academic studies and mineral industry applications. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.