Development of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor system for real-time ore classification

Present high capacity mining practices suffer from poor selectivity resulting in significant amounts of barren rock to report to the processing plant and significant quantities of metal in the waste dump. The research is aimed at developing sorting systems that improve the selectivity of the mining practices. The research will help MineSense Technologies Ltd to develop a new sensor for sorting systems referred to as Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS has been extensively applied to ore characterization, but the present work is aimed at developing the LIBS sensor for real-time ore classification. Benefits results from increased resources utilization, improved grade control, significant energy savings and improved profitability. MineSense Technologies Ltd is a Canadian based company that is developing innovative intelligent technological systems for the mining industry. The systems under development will benefit Canadian mining operations and will be marketed internationally.

Faculty Supervisor:

Bern Klein

Student:

Partner:

MineSense Technologies Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining; Technology; Manufacturing and Construction

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: