Method of rapid assessment of sulfide sulfur content in host rocks

¹ Saint-Petersburg Mining University, 2, 21 Line V.O., 199002, St. Petersburg, Russia
² Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 78a, Sibirskaya st. 614007, Perm, Russia

^* Corresponding author: 79213258397@mail.ru

Abstract

The aim of the research is to assess the possibility of using the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence method directly at the stoping operation site. To meet this objective, a hand-held X-ray fluorescence spectrometer of the expert class of the NITON XL2 brand was selected. This will solve the problem of developing an express method for assessing the explosive and fire-hazardous properties of sulfur-containing or pyrite-containing ore. The development of the method is dictated by the need for operational control of the dust explosion hazard of sulfur-containing rocks and the assessment of their tendency to spontaneous combustion and also the possibility of making amendments to the development process of complex heterogeneous host rocks. Visual and optical control methods were used as an auxiliary method. In the process of developing the express method, both express analyses were carried out directly at the face bottom, and monolithic large-sized pieces of mined rock mass and also additional laboratory studies of previously studied samples of these rocks dispersed to a size of less than 100 microns were performed. The obtained results allowed to draw a number of conclusions about the expediency of using the X-ray fluorescence express method and suggest ways to use it directly in the stoping face.