Tracking silver in the Lappberget Zn-Pb-Ag-(Cu-Au) deposit, Garpenberg mine, Sweden: Towards a geometallurgical approach

The complex mineralogy and low concentration of silver in polymetallic ores makes mineralogical characterization extraction challenging. In this study, quantified the flotation products from batch tests was undertaken for a silver-rich zinc-lead ore using QEMSCAN® (Quantitative Evaluation Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscope), scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), probe microanalysis (EPMA). Ten major minerals were identified their behavior during discussed based on different textural characteristics. Results study also showed variability composition some (e.g., tetrahedrite electrum), presence structurally bound galena, formation sulfur-based coating chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite. A metallurgical balance generated data shows very strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.99) against chemical assay derived inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This suggests that quantification produced automated is possible even tracking trace minerals. effectiveness methodology lies upon creation robust mineral library comprehensive which can be used by-product metals ores.