Assessment of mineralogical and chemical quantification of spodumene ore (Li) using a rapid compact XRF–XRD analyzer on-site: Impact of sample preparation on analytical results
Abstract
Ore variability remains a major challenge for grade control and metallurgical performance, emphasizing the need for detailed mineralogical characterization to support process optimization and quantitative assessment of ore deportment. This study evaluates a combined XRF-XRD approach with field-adapted sample preparation for rapid, on-site chemical and mineralogical analysis of spodumene-bearing ores, addressing the technical challenge of fast lithium concentration assessment to guide process optimization. Proper sample preparation is essential, particularly for both XRF and XRD analysis, to ensure reliable results under on-site conditions where preparation is minimized. The Ball mill preparation method provides a balanced compromise compared with the raw material (As-It) and classical laboratory methods (Disc mill and Micro mill), sufficiently reducing particle-size to minimize preferred orientation while avoiding excessive ultra-fine production. Analytical performance was compared with established chemical (ICP-OES) and mineralogical (QXRD and EMC) methods, confirming accuracy and robustness, particularly for quantifying spodumene and deriving lithium concentration. Phase-dependent discrepancies were observed, mainly reflecting inherent limitations of individual methods, highlighting the contrasting sensitivities of chemistry (EMC) and structure-based (XRD) approaches. Reconciliation of chemical and mineralogical data from a single sample provides a comprehensive understanding of its composition. The possibility of multiplying on-site XRF-XRD analyses by linking chemistry and mineralogy can enable verification of overall data consistency and ore variability providing rapid reliable information for operational decision-making, real-time process control, and enhanced resource management in lithium mining
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BibTeX
@article{delchini2026assessment,
title = {{Assessment of mineralogical and chemical quantification of spodumene ore (Li) using a rapid compact XRF–XRD analyzer on-site: Impact of sample preparation on analytical results}},
author = {Sylvain Delchini and Kathy Bru and Jussi Liipo and Henry Pillière and Nicolas Maubec and Françoise Bodénan},
journal = {Minerals Engineering},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110828},
url = {https://brgm.hal.science/hal-05736778v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Assessment of mineralogical and chemical quantification of spodumene ore (Li) using a rapid compact XRF–XRD analyzer on-site: Impact of sample preparation on analytical results
AU - Sylvain Delchini
AU - Kathy Bru
AU - Jussi Liipo
AU - Henry Pillière
AU - Nicolas Maubec
AU - Françoise Bodénan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/03
JO - Minerals Engineering
DO - 10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110828
UR - https://brgm.hal.science/hal-05736778v1
AB - Ore variability remains a major challenge for grade control and metallurgical performance, emphasizing the need for detailed mineralogical characterization to support process optimization and quantitative assessment of ore deportment. This study evaluates a combined XRF-XRD approach with field-adapted sample preparation for rapid, on-site chemical and mineralogical analysis of spodumene-bearing ores, addressing the technical challenge of fast lithium concentration assessment to guide process optimization. Proper sample preparation is essential, particularly for both XRF and XRD analysis, to ensure reliable results under on-site conditions where preparation is minimized. The Ball mill preparation method provides a balanced compromise compared with the raw material (As-It) and classical laboratory methods (Disc mill and Micro mill), sufficiently reducing particle-size to minimize preferred orientation while avoiding excessive ultra-fine production. Analytical performance was compared with established chemical (ICP-OES) and mineralogical (QXRD and EMC) methods, confirming accuracy and robustness, particularly for quantifying spodumene and deriving lithium concentration. Phase-dependent discrepancies were observed, mainly reflecting inherent limitations of individual methods, highlighting the contrasting sensitivities of chemistry (EMC) and structure-based (XRD) approaches. Reconciliation of chemical and mineralogical data from a single sample provides a comprehensive understanding of its composition. The possibility of multiplying on-site XRF-XRD analyses by linking chemistry and mineralogy can enable verification of overall data consistency and ore variability providing rapid reliable information for operational decision-making, real-time process control, and enhanced resource management in lithium mining
SN - 0892-6875
ER -