New on-stream analyzer for direct measurement of gold concentration

Image courtesy: Metso Outotec

Metso Outotec is launching its next-generation Courier® 6G SL on-stream analyzer for direct measurement of gold, platinum and other valuable metal concentrations from ore feed, concentrate, and tailings streams. The new analyzer enables accurate real-time elemental analysis measurement, which is critical for establishing efficient process control to improve process stability and maximize recovery. “Agnico Eagle Kittilä has used the new on-stream analyzer for flotation control and optimization since October 2019. Measurement information provided by the Courier 6G SL has enabled more efficient control of the pre-flotation circuit and helped to reduce gold losses,” says Lauri Veki, Metallurgist, Agnico Eagle Kittilä”.

The Courier 6G SL on-stream analyzer builds on the Outotec Courier 6X SL analyzer with a more powerful X-ray tube and measurement channels optimized for direct on-line measurement of gold and other elements from calcium to uranium. This makes it particularly suitable for applications where gold is recovered with other metals such as silver or copper.

The system can measure up to 24 individual process streams – each with an individually adjustable measurement time – to ensure optimal measurement accuracy and sampling frequency in even the most complex polymetallic flotation circuits.

The new next-generation on-stream analyzer combines Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technologies with a high-power X-ray tube for unparalleled measurement performance. It also features an automatic internal reference measurement for guaranteed stability under changing environmental conditions.