Abstract
Ore deposits are complex and display a high degree of variability which impact their beneficiation. Automated mineralogy (AMIN) is as an integral part of the mineral processing industry including base metal sulphides, but also critical minerals. It includes ore characterization, mineral and textural quantification, grain size, and mineral liberation in relation to grinding and flotation process. Thus, AMIN can help in flowsheet development, process design and optimization. The AMIN data are linked to metallurgical response and used to guide and explain the test results. A case study of Li (or W) will be presented by size fraction to illustrate the link between mineralogy and mineral recovery in relation to modal mineralogy, grain size and liberation attributes. Mineralogically limited (predicted) grades and recoveries can be used as a proxy for beneficiation (e.g., flotation) characterization.