Microscopic Digital Image Analysis Of Gold Ores. A Critical Test Of Methodology, Comparing Reflected Light And Electron Microscopy (8e6efe44-7216-4591-8eb2-73a1f02736c0)

Automatic digital phase imaging should yield unbiased and representative characterization of gold ores. However, this is not a simple task due to low gold grades, fine grain size, possible complex mineralogy, nugget effect, etc. A critical test was done by two methods, using the same sections of a gold-rich ore: with an optical (OM) and with an electron microscope (EM). In general, the two methods are consistent and useful for ore processing. There are some minor differences e.g. the detection of very fine gold grains is enhanced by EM.