Laboratory
Work unit Laboratory of Rudnik and flotation “Rudnik” consists of departments for the preparation of samples for analysis and chemical department. A representative samples is formed in the department for preparation. Materials that are analysed are samples of geological research, samples of ore that is processed, products of flotation concentrations and samples of final products – concentrates of lead, zinc and copper.
Samples of ore are in solid aggregate state. The preparation begins by crushing the sample to size less than 5mm. This is accomplished by crushing in jaw, then in cylindrical jaw crusher. Such crushed sample is truncated on Johnson divider. Next, the sample is milled on disc pulveriser (grain size 0.150 mm) and analytical representative sample is obtained by milling on vibratory pulveriser (grain size 0.074 mm – sample milled to “dead”). Such milled sample is homogeneous and ready for analysis.
Samples of technological process of flotation are in form of pulp – a mixture of ore and water. Preparation involves filtering samples, drying, truncation and homogenisation.
The elements that are determined are Pb, Zn, Cu, Au, Bi, Fe, S, Cd, As with standard chemical analyses by applying volumetric and gravimetric methods and method of cupellation. Methods are selected so as to enable provision of most accurate results.
To make the operations that lead to them as short as possible, a new quantitative method of analysis was introduced in the laboratory “Rudnik” in January 2007 – Atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the ideal method for the analysis of ore.
Perkin-Elmer atomic absorber with flame technology, with its quality, holds a leading position in the global market of optical instruments manufacturers.
Advantages of applying this method:
– Greater accuracy of analysis results is achieved
-Chemical separations are avoided
-The procedure for determining is simple – time savings are achieved
-The application of this method in geological and mining research is constantly increasing
With the development of the laboratory and the need for additional analysis of both ore and our wastewater, the laboratory is equipped with another instrument for quantitative analysis of ICP-OES, manufactured by Perkin Elmer, which can analyze the contents of very low concentrations.
In order to improve the work of the laboratory itself and raise it to a higher level, intensive work is being done on preparations for accreditation and introduction of the ISO 17025 standard, which will enable the work and control of analyzes with internationally accredited laboratories.
Since the ore deposits of “Rudnik” are of polymetallic composition, the laboratory is constantly working on finding and introducing methods for the analysis of new elements.
