SEM-based automated mineralogy: A fast and effective method for in-situ particle analysis

Scanning electron microscope-based automated mineralogy such as the Mineral Liberation Analyser (MLA) allows several automated procedures based on backscattered electron (BSE) image acquisition and the collection of energy-dispersive X-ray spectra of particles with a specified contrast in the BSE image. The collected spectra are classified with a standard mineral spectra list which has been collected and specified for the samples. Samples should be solid with a polished surface. Different measurement modes are available on the MLA which can deliver extensive sets of information as modal mineralogy, particle- and grain size/shape distribution, liberation, mineral association or intergrowth. SEM-based automated mineralogy is a well-established tool in applied mineralogy and mineral- and metallurgic processing. The features of this method can also be applied in wide areas of research fields including material sciences, geology or environmental sciences.