DMT´s latest development in core scanning technology is a modular multi-sensor device that combines analytical sensors and measures chemical and mineralogical drill core compositions in real-time. Additionally, smart machine learning techniques are used in order to classify the core samples into geological domains like e.g. lithologies or alteration zones. The perfect tool to support geologists and speed up decision-making!
One of the most challenging aspects of exploration drilling programmes is to obtain consistent and detailed logging results as well as analytical results from drill core samples that have been sent to commercial laboratories in a timely manner so that crucial decisions can be made already at early project stages. This can be exacerbated and amplified if the project is conducted in remote locations where the logistical arrangements, particularly transport, can be an issue. The sample dispatch can also be a cumbersome process in foreign jurisdictions due to the bureaucratic red tape where significant delays in sending the samples to overseas laboratories may occur.
Similar problems can also be encountered at mine sites where the hourly, daily, and weekly analyses can be an important component for the production plans.
ANCORELOG, the analytical core logging system, delivers precise logging and analytical results deducted from chemical, mineralogical, physical, and textural drill core properties through a combination of innovative technologies involving modular multi-sensors in an automatised measurement workflow.
Smart machine learning algorithms convert measured properties (“big data”) from the samples into geological, geotechnical and geometallurgical domains (“intelligent data”) in almost real time supporting and speeding up decision-making.
3D Laser Line Profile Sensor |
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Gocator 2370 |
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Resolution X/Y (mm) | 0.275 |
Resolution Z (mm) | 0.055 |
Field of View (mm) | 700 |
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RGB line scan Camera |
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Resolution (standard full core box) | 25 pixel/mm (635 dpi) |
Resolution (optional, single core row) | 150 pixel/mm (3810 dpi) |
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Hyperspectral Imaging Cameras | |
HySpex VNIR-1800 |
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Spectral range | 400 – 1000 nm |
Spatial pixels | 1800 |
Spatial resolution | 22,5 pixel/mm (572 dpi) |
Spectral channels | 186 |
Spectral sampling | 3.26 nm |
FOV* | 17° |
Pixel FOV across/along* | 0.16/0.32 mrad |
Bit resolution | 16 bit |
Noise floor | 2.4 e- |
Dynamic range | 20000 |
Peak SNR (at full resolution) | > 255 |
Max speed (at full resolution) | 260 fps |
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HySpex SWIR-384 |
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Spectral range | 930 – 2500 nm |
Spatial pixels | 384 |
Spatial resolution | 5 pixel/mm (127 dpi) |
Spectral channels | 288 |
Spectral sampling | 5.45 nm |
FOV* | 16° |
Pixel FOV across/along* | 0.73/0.73 mrad |
Bit resolution | 16 bit |
Noise floor | 150 e- |
Dynamic range | 7500 |
Peak SNR (at full resolution) | > 1100 |
Max speed (at full resolution) | 400 fps |
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XRF Sensor |
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TEXAS (J&C Bachmann) (Total Elemental X-ray Analysis System) |
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X-ray tube | Ceramic, maximum voltage 65 kV |
Detector | Silicon drift detector with internal cooling |
Sensor enclosure |
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RAMAN Sensor |
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T-REX – Timegated Raman for Exploration |
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Pico RAMAN (Timegate Instruments) |
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Spectrometer |
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Spectral Resolution | 5 cm-1 |
Spectral Range | 0 – 2500 cm-1 |
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Detector |
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Detector Type | CMOS SPAD array, single photon counting |
Pixel Amount | 8 x 768 pixel |
Time Resolution | 100 ps |
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532 nm Picosecond Pulsed Laser |
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Spectral Line Width | < 0.1 nm |
Pulse Width | < 150 ps |
Pulse Energy | SW control to 1 µJ |
Repetition Rate | 100-250 kHz |
Laser Power | SW controlled up to 200 mW at laser port |
For the first time Timegated®Raman spectroscopy is adapted to the industrial scale requirements on drill core logging providing high quality data in real-time, no matter if for exploration purposes, geotechnical investigations, scientific research or others.
This novel technology developed and commercialized by timegate Instruments and VTT from Finland is technically upscaled and integrated into ANCORELOG (Analytical Core Logging System), DMT´s latest development of the CoreScan product line.
As additional analytical sensor to ANCORELOG´s modular multi-sensor approach, T-REX offers different measurement modes varying from high spatial resolution mineral mapping of selected regions of interest to continuous measurements profiles along the drill core samples.
The identification and quantification of mineralogical drill core composition obtained from the T-REX sensor compliments ANCORELOG´s approach in automatization of drill core logging and supports the elaboration of precise machine learning models with the aim of classifying drill core into geological domains.
T-REX consists of developing a timegated RAMAN sensor adapted to the requirements of the exploration and mining industry and its integration into DMT´s multi-sensor drill core logging system ANCORELOG.
The novel timegated RAMAN technology, a significant improvement of the classic and well known RAMAN technology, allows a fast and precise mineralogical sample analysis and is applicable on a wide range of minerals including those related to CRM such as Lithium. Mineralogical sample composition data gathered from the T-REX sensor will flow into ANCORELOG´s multi-sensor data fusion approach and enhance ANCORELOG´s smart algorithms designed to classify rock samples into geological and geometallurgical domains.
The growing demand in automatization and digitalization of processes related to the raw materials value chain also applies to the task of drill core logging. Huge drilling campaigns are performed during exploration, mining, processing and recycling of raw materials involving a considerable amount of time and costs associated with sample collection (drilling), sample preparation, sample transport and subsequent manual characterization and laboratory analysis. A precise, standardized time and cost efficient analytical logging process is of substantial importance for successful exploration and mining operations.
T-REX will contribute to enhance exploration, extraction, processing and recycling methods for all commodities including critical raw materials and will facilitate a precise planning of upcoming tasks by gaining high value information at early stages. The integration of T-REX into ANCORELOG will enhance the automatization and digitalization approach providing mineralogical composition data that is essential for a solid planning of ore recovery and processing.
Accurate, objective, time and cost efficient analytical sample logging during prospecting, extraction, mining, ore processing and recycling operations are the basic element supporting decision making in both, technical and financial key nodes in the RM sector.
TREX contributes significantly to these decision makings through a fast, accurate and systematic analysis of drill cores’ mineralogical composition in real-time. Being part of the TREX project, the integration of the timegated RAMAN sensor and its data output into the analytical multi sensor system of EIT´s ANCORELOG will significantly reduce time and costs along the RM sectors value chain.
DMT is a private limited company under German law (DMT GmbH & Co. KG International mining and exploration consultancy is one of DMT´s key activities since more than 40 years serving customers in mainly all relevant mining regions worldwide. DMT started to develop the CoreScan product line in 1991 and commercializes it since 1994 having sold almost 160 CoreScan Systems worldwide to this day. A continuous development of the product lead to the market launch of the third Generation of CoreScan (CoreScan3) in 2011 as well as the implementation of a UV light Version (CoreScan UV) in 2015. In 2018 DMT started the upscaling project ANCORELOG funded by the European Union as project leader. Apart of pioneering the field of drill core scanning instrument solutions, the experience gained during this period turned DMT´s CoreScan product line into the global market-leading device for digitalization of drill core. A lively exchange and long-term liaison with clients, customers and partners provided DMT a deep in-sight into the market of drill core logging, digitalization and analysis.
Timegate's new Raman technology has long R&D history at first in Oulu University and VTT and since 2014 in Timegate Instruments Oy. So far approx. 4.5 million EUR have been invested for the R&D work. The first commercial prototypes came to market in Q3/2015. At the moment, Timegate is focussing on scaling-up its sales and production through application specific approach. In this project Timegate Instruments would have the focus in upscaling the time resolved Raman technology as mineralogical analysis tool for the paneuropean mining industry. This would be achieved by customizing the existing Raman-spectrometer unit to be a suitable addition to mineralogical drill core analysis. This requires optimization of the system scanning speed with new optomechanics, excitation source and further development of the user interface software to allow two measurement modes and automated integration time and excitation source power according to the sample absorption rate.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd is a state owned and controlled non-profit limited liability company established by law and operating under the ownership steering of the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy. VTT is impact-driven RTO and takes advantage from its wide multitechnological knowledge base to strengthen Finnish and European industrial competitiveness. VTT has a staff of 2109, net turnover in 2017 was 153,1M€ and other operational incomes were 82,3M€. Over the years, VTT has gained vast experience from participation and coordination of numerous European projects including R&D Framework Programme projects and other thematic frameworks and programmes. VTT is ranked among the leading European RTOs. In December 2017, VTT has been recognized with the “HR Excellence in Research” award by the European Commission VTT’s Optical measurements team has a successful record of accomplishment of 30 years in the field of optical analysis technologies. The focus of the team has been on different on-line applications and special detection methods. The team has 25 professional, including mathematicians, physicists and engineers, covering the optical development chain from novel research studies to application development, sensor system integration and assembly. Team is committed to exploitation of project results through industrial commercialization and academic excellence.
MATSA is a modern and sustainable Spanish mining company which owns and operates three mines in the province of Huelva: Aguas Teñidas and Magdalena mines located in Almonaster la Real, and the Sotiel mine located in Calañas, in the province of Huelva. MATSA is based in the Almonaster la Real municipality, in the north of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. This mining district extends over 250 km, and it has been a source of metals since Phoenician times over 2,500 years ago. MATSA’s business consists of the exploration and extraction of mineral deposits as well as the processing of mineral ores. In this project MATSA will contribute with drill core sample supply and end user advisory activities. MATSA will be hosting and supporting three weeks on-site measurement campaign at MATSA, Spain with the T-REX analyser at the end of the Project.
The KGHM Cuprum Research and Development Center continues the activities of Zakłady Badawcze i Projektowe Miedzi “Cuprum” established in 1967 as one of the plants of the Kombinat Górniczo-Hutniczy Miedzi in Lubin. From the beginning, the company has provided comprehensive research and design services for the Lubińsko-Głogowski Copper Belt. In this project KGHM Cuprum will contribute with drill core sample supply and will advise in discussions on the importance and impact of comprehensive multi-sensor mineralogical analysis for mining industry.
LTU Business AB is the largest business development company in northern Scandinavia. We specialize in business development, innovation management and professional education. In addition to being the official Technology Transfer Office and Industry Liaison Office for Luleå University of Technology, we serve clients from both private and public sector. Today we hold a thirty-five year track record of running industry collaboration efforts and student programs in order to create growth in SME:s in northern Sweden, a region where several raw materials related companies are started every year. Our experience in business development have made us a trusted partner for innovation management on the international arena including numerous European projects in industry sectors including mining, renewable energy, ICT and more. We are a limited non-profit company fully owned by Luleå University of Technology. Our customers are public organizations, industrial organizations as well as our owner, Luleå university of technology.
ULg - GeMMe ULg - GeMMe is a 40 people research group of the University of Liège, Belgium. GeMMe historically focused on traditional disciplines of ore geology, metallurgy and civil engineering. However, within the last ten years, GeMMe has developed complementary expertise in the recycling of end-of-life consumer goods. The geo-imaging team of GeMMe is specialized in the development of vision-based solutions for the identification, characterization and quantitative evaluation of mineral resources. State of the art data fusion and machine learning techniques that allow the assignment of samples to project specific classes, in this case lithologies, alteration types or certain mineral abundancies, are among GeMME´s areas of experience.
BGR the Federal Insitute for Geosciences and Natural Resources is the central geoscientific authority providing advice to the German Federal Government in all geo‐relevant questions. It is subordinate to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). In order to secure the supply of mineral resources, BGR provides information in the field of “Mineral Resources” to the industry. In the field of raw materials research, BGR investigates and assesses mineral potentials. The focus is upon the analysis of ore deposits of e.g. strategically relevant element groups, as well as on the analysis of potentials for efficiency improvement in extraction from primary and secondary resources. One major aspect is the development of fast characterization methods to improve the chemical/mineralogical/textural characterization of ore samples, rock samples, and mining residues, and to develop strategies for exploration and recovery.
ANCORELOG is partly funded by the EIT RawMaterials, a body of the European Union, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
Mr Carlos Garcia Pina (DMT)
Tel: +49 201 172-1991
Carlos.GarciaPina(at)dmt-group.LÖSCHEN.com
