Alunite processing method selection using the AHP and TOPSIS approaches under fuzzy environment

Alunite is the most important non bauxite resource for alumina. Various methods have been proposed and patented for processing alunite, but none has been performed at industrial scale and no technical,operational and economic data is available to evaluate methods. In addition, selecting the right approach for alunite beneficiation, requires introducing a wide range of criteria and careful analysis of alternatives.In this research, after studying the existing processes, 13 methods were considered and evaluated by 14 technical, economic and environmental analyzing criteria. Due to multiplicity of processing methods and attributes, in this paper, Multi Attribute Decision Making methods were employed to examine the appropriateness of choices. The Delphi Analytical Hierarchy Process(DAHP) was used for weighting selection criteria and Fuzzy TOPSIS approach was used to determine the most profitable candidates. Among 13 studied methods, Spanish, Svoronos and Hazan methods were respectively recognized to be the best choices.

Alunite spectral features and mineral chemistry of the ZijinshanDafanshan lithocap in SE China:Implications for mineral exploration

Lithocaps are composed of silicic and advanced argillic altered rocks,and represent an important target for porphyry-epithermal Cu-Au exploration.Previous studies showed that integrating alunite spectral and composition with lithocap whole-rock geochemistry can effectively aid exploration for concealed Cu-Au mineralization.The Zijinshan Cu-Au and Dafanshan alunite deposits are located in the Coastal Volcanic Belt in SE China,where alunite is an indicator of hypogene mineralization and alteration.Detailed mineralogical studies of alunite from these two deposits were performed with short-wavelength infrared spectroscopy(SWIR),whole-rock geochemistry and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS).For Zijinshan,wavelength variation of the SWIR alunite absorption peak at 1480 nm is proportional to the whole-rock Na/(Na+K)molar ratio of alunitebearing samples.Different percentage of alunite and mineral assemblages in the lithocap samples would both affect the wavelength of the SWIR alunite absorption peak at1480 nm.We suggest that the alunite Ba-Bi contents and the whole-rock Nb/La value(of alunite-bearing rocks)are reliable vectoring tools for detecting magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization center in the district.Comparing the alunite SWIR spectral and mineral geochemical features and whole-rock geochemistry of alunite-bearing rocks between the Zijinshan and Dafanshan deposits,Au–Ag mineralization may be concealed at depth in northwestern Dafanshan.

Laser micro-area analysis of^(40) Ar- ^(39) Ar isochron age for Fanshan superlarge alunite deposit, Zhejiang Province, China

Laser micro area analysis 40 Ar 39 Ar isochron dating for pure alunite is first reported. Micro area 40 Ar 39 Ar isochron dating results revealed that the metallogenetic epoch of Fanshan superlarge alunite deposit is 74.50 Ma, and this age is 10-20 Ma later than that of regional volcanic activity. Moreover, the potential application of micro area analysis 40 Ar 39 Ar isochron dating method in metallogenetic epoch studies for nonmetal deposits is also discussed.