Indigenous Mineral Resource Evaluation

IFDC's involvement in agromineral resource evaluations ranges from regional surveys to the development of large-scale commercial ventures to the evaluation of small-scale local deposits. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of indigenous resources and the development of alternative technologies to use low-grade and low-quality ores.

One of the first steps in many agromineral resource evaluations is a characterization study. Ore characterization involves chemical, mineralogical, and textural studies. Characterization studies may point out the difficulties in using certain ores, possible beneficiation routes, and the suitability for direct application or various types of chemical processing. Characterization studies may provide a firm basis for further testing.

Using the Center's laboratory and pilot-plant facilities, IFDC staff can investigate the beneficiation of phosphate and other agromineral ores. They can perform laboratory-scale studies to define optimal conditions before possible scale-up to pilot-plant operations. The equipment available at IFDC includes primary crushing equipment, various grinding mills, attrition scrubbing and screening equipment, magnetic separators, various types of density separators, and flotation cells.

IFDC staff have developed and maintain a worldwide agromineral database. The database is divided into two general categories. Literature forms the basis of the first category.    Chemical and mineralogic information is the basis for the second database category. IFDC's database contains data on approximately 1,200 samples from over 175 deposits of agrominerals in more than 70 countries.

IFDC's geologists and engineers are available for onsite evaluations. Among the services offered are geologic evaluations, resource-reserve estimates, development of mining and processing plans, and economic analyses.