METHOD OF LASER TREATMENT FOR ENRICHING MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS WITH NOBLE METALS Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: laser treatment processes in noble metal metallurgy, namely rational usage of hard-to-enriched mineral raw material containing ultra-finely dispersed mineral associations of complex ores and noble metal concentrates, possibly high-speed precision laser control of heating and cooling.

SUBSTANCE: method comprises steps of irradiating particles of mineral associations with possibility of controlling modes of high-speed heating and cooling due to changing parameters of laser irradiation. Novelty of method for consolidating ultra-fine mineral associations is creation of layer of mineral associations with thickness 1 - 3 mm. Direct incident unfocused irradiation with diameter of laser beam 2 - 5 mm is used for irradiating particles. Modes of high-speed heating and cooling of particles are controlled by changing period of irradiation pulses. Wave length of irradiation is varied in range 1 - 10 micrometers according to absorption band of rock-forming components of ultra-fine mineral associations for separating larger granules to be further divided.

EFFECT: possibility for consolidating granules on base of ultra-fine mineral associations including noble metals and increasing their content till concentrations suitable for industrial usage.

6 dwg, 3 ex