In Situ Distribution of Gold in Ores Using High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography

Research Article| December 01, 2003 IN SITU DISTRIBUTION OF GOLD IN ORES USING HIGH-RESOLUTION X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY J. Richard Kyle; J. Richard Kyle Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C1100, Austin, Texas 78712-0254 †Corresponding author: email, rkyle@mail.utexas.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard A. Ketcham Richard A. Ketcham Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C1100, Austin, Texas 78712-0254 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information J. Richard Kyle Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C1100, Austin, Texas 78712-0254 Richard A. Ketcham Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C1100, Austin, Texas 78712-0254 †Corresponding author: email, rkyle@mail.utexas.edu Publisher: Society of Economic Geologists Received: 28 Feb 2003 Accepted: 07 Aug 2003 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1554-0774 Print ISSN: 0361-0128 Economic Geology Economic Geology (2003) 98 (8): 1697–1701. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.98.8.1697 Article history Received: 28 Feb 2003 Accepted: 07 Aug 2003 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation J. Richard Kyle, Richard A. Ketcham; IN SITU DISTRIBUTION OF GOLD IN ORES USING HIGH-RESOLUTION X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY. Economic Geology 2003;; 98 (8): 1697–1701. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.98.8.1697 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 the industrial equivalent of medical computed axial tomography (CAT) scanning and provides a mechanism for nondestructive, three-dimensional analysis of ore samples. HRXCT produces two-dimensional images ("slices") that reveal the interior of an object as if it had been sliced open along the image plane for viewing. By acquiring a contiguous set of slices, a density map for all or part of a sample volume can be obtained, allowing three-dimensional inspection and measurement of features of interest.HRXCT can resolve details as small as a few tens of microns, even when imaging objects are made of high-density materials. Because the HRXCT technique differentiates mineral grains largely based on their contrasting densities, these studies are particularly effective in the study of gold and other extremely high density grains in contrast to typical rock-forming minerals and other metallic minerals. Imaging of typical stockwork ore from the Grasberg porphyry deposit identified native gold grains as small as 13 μm in diameter. All of the gold grains are associated with chalcopyrite masses, indicating that both copper and gold concentrations occupy the same fracture porosity and thus appear to have been precipitated during the same mineralization event. These reconnaissance investigations suggest considerable potential for HRXCT studies to contribute to the understanding of ore-forming systems and to practical applications such as ore dressing to maximize precious metal recovery. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.