Simulation techniques in mineral liberation analysis

Simulation techniques are used in liberation analysis studies in order to test, demonstrate, or calibrate reconstruction procedures to transform primary measurements results, obtained by image analyzers on sections or test lines, into three dimensional information. The difficulties encountered in these Monte Carlo simulations are presented. In the case of simple problems, some elementary but powerful integral geometry theorems can be used. Examples of errors in the simulations are illustrated. Simulation of spherical caps composite particles are carried out, which demonstrate the application of these integral geometry results. Simulations are carried out to demonstrate particle composition distribution reconstruction methods. A new method based on the calibration of the original ore texture is presented.