Quantitative mineralogical analysis of Co and Cu distribution in historical slags from Kiire (Turkey)

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 84, No. 946, 1991

Eric Pirard, Laboratoires de Geologic Appliquee, Liege, Belgium

A mineralogical and trace element analysis was performed on the Kiire historical slags in order to evaluate the possible recovery of copper and cobalt. Reflected light microscopy, electron microprobe and image analysis were combined to determine the Cu and Co distribution in the slag. The results indicate that 81% of the total cobalt is chemically combined in thefayalite whereas only 3.4% is in the mechanically entrapped sulphides. The remainder being in hercynite and wustite. On the other hand, 95% of the total copper is in the sulphide phase. This kind of applied mineralogical investigation gives invaluable information when it is performed preliminary to metallurgical experiments.

Mots Clés: Applied mineralogy, Cobalt, Slag, Image analysis.