Multi-scale analysis of carbon mineralization in lime-treated soils considering soil mineralogy

Mineral carbonation is emerging as a reliable CO_(2) capture technology that can mitigate climate change.In lime-treated clayey soils,mineral carbonation occurs through the carbonation of free lime and cementitious products derived from pozzolanic reactions.The kinetics of the reactions in lime-treated clayey soils are variable and depend primarily on soil mineralogy.The present study demonstrates the role of soil mineralogy in CO_(2) capture and the subsequent changes caused by carbon mineralization in terms of the unconfined compressive strength(UCS)of lime-treated soils during their service life.Three clayey soils(kaolin,bentonite,and silty clay)with different mineralogical characteristics were treated with 4%lime content,and the samples were cured in a controlled environment for 7 d,90 d,180 d,and 365 d.After the specified curing periods,the samples were exposed to CO_(2) in a carbonation cell for 7 d.The non-carbonated samples purged with N2 gas were used as a benchmark to compare the mechanical,chemical-mineralogical,and microstructure changes caused by carbonation reactions.Experimental investigations indicated that exposure to CO_(2) resulted in an average increase of 10%in the UCS of limetreated bentonite,whereas the strength of lime-treated kaolin and silty clay was reduced by an average of 35%.The chemical and microstructural analyses revealed that the precipitated carbonates effectively filled the macropores of the treated bentonite,compared to the inadequate cementation caused by pozzolanic reactions,resulting in strength enhancement.In contrast,strength loss in lime-treated kaolin and silty clay was attributed to the carbonation of cementitious phases and partly to the tensile stress induced by carbonate precipitation.In terms of carbon mineralization prospects,lime-treated kaolin exhibited maximum carbonation due to the higher availability of unreacted lime.The results suggest that,in addition to the increase in compressive strength,adequate calcium-bearing phases and macropores determine the efficiency of carbon mineralization in lime-treated clayey soils.

Hematization of Quartz Grains: Study of the Surface of Quartz Grains (M.E.B) and Semi-Quantitative Mineralization

Interest in the Côte d’Ivoire sedimentary basin has led to numerous investigations. All these investigations are aimed at understanding the functioning of the basin and a paleogeographic approach including sediment transport dynamics. However, the use of exoscopy and semi-quantitative mineralogy has been little developed. This study was carried out to compensate for this lack of interest in these methods. Its aim is to understand the transformation of quartz into hematite using exoscopy and semi-quantitative mineralogy in the Adiaké locality, in the eastern onshore basin of Côte d’Ivoire. Two methods were applied to 250 μm-diameter quartz grains from the 40 m coasts. Exoscopy provides information on microscopic texture, surface and corrosion, as well as determining the transport mechanism and deposition phases of quartz grains. Semi-quantitative mineralogy provides an estimate of the weight percentages of major element oxides and the ultrastructure of quartz grains. Exoscopy showed that these grains had been subjected to torrential fluvial transport. They were marked by mechanical and chemical traces during this transport and evolved in different environments. Semi-quantitative mineralogy shows the existence of negative and positive correlations between oxides. Negative correlations indicate a substitution, in order of importance, of silicon by iron, phosphorus and aluminum in these quartz. Positive correlations show that there is no substitution between the oxides concerned in these quartz grains. Divo’s quartz grains have recorded several mechanical and chemical microstructures of their sedimentary episodes, with the appearance of iron nodules in the ports left by silica.

Process mineralogy approach to optimize curing-leaching in vanadiumbearing stone coal processing plants

The purpose of this study is to apply process mineralogy as a practical tool to further understand and analyze the reasons for low leaching rates in the curing-leaching process of vanadium-bearing stone coal and to find a solution or improvement to optimize the leaching index.Using vanadium-bearing stone coal with the V2O5 mass fraction of 0.88%as the research object,the effects of particle size,mineral composition,and sulfuric acid curing on the feed,intermediate,and final products of curing-leaching were analyzed.The main vanadium-bearing minerals in the feed samples included sericite/illite,montmorillonite,kaolinite,limonite,and schreyerite.Through the penetration depth analysis of sulfuric acid,the reason for the high vanadium content in the coarse leaching residue(0.205%V2O5)was found,mainly due to the poor curing effect and incomplete washing after screening.Therefore,thorough washing after sieving and further optimizing the curing process are necessary.The vanadium content of the fine leaching residue(0.078%)was low and the curing-leaching effect was good.However,the vanadium content in the thickened residue(0.296%)exceeded that in the fine leaching residue,which was attributed to the neutralization reaction in the#1 thickener.To solve this problem,the neutralization and thickening processes should be performed in separate equipment.The analysis and detection of key products is helpful for identifying problems and improving the curing-leaching circuit process.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal sulphide from a submarine volcanic high at 18°36.4'S Central Lau Spreading Center, Southwest Pacific

We report the mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermal sulphide from the crater of a volcanic high near 18°36.4′S of the Central Lau Spreading Center.During 1990s,that volcanic structure was reported active and sulphide samples were collected by MIR submersible.A section of a chimney-like structure from the crater-floor was studied here.The Fe-depleted sphalerites,and Co-depleted pyrites in that chimney were similar to those commonly found in low to moderate temperature(<300℃)sulphides from sediment-starved hydrothermal systems.Bulk analyses of three parts of that chimney section showed substantial enrichment of Zn(18%–20%)and Fe(14%–27%)but depletion of Cu(0.8%–1.3%).In chondrite-normalized rare earth element-patterns,the significant negative Ce-anomalies(Ce/Ce*=0.27–0.39)and weakly positive Eu-anomalies(Eu/Eu*=1.60–1.68)suggested sulphide mineralisation took place from reduced low-temperature fluid.The depleted concentration of lithophiles in this sulphide indicates restricted contribution of sub-ducting plate in genesis of source fluid as compared to those from other parts of Lau Spreading Centre.Uniform mineralogy and bulk composition of subsamples across the chimney section suggests barely any alteration of fluid composition and/or mode of mineralisation occurred during its growth.

Depositional Environment and Lithofacies Analyses of Eocene Lacustrine Shale in the Bohai Bay Basin:Insights from Mineralogy and Elemental Geochemistry

The effect of various depositional parameters including paleoclimate,paleosalinity and provenance,on the depositional mechanism of lacustrine shale is very important in reconstructing the depositional environment.The classification of shale lithofacies and the interpretation of shale depositional environment are key features used in shale oil and gas exploration and development activity.The lower 3rd member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Es_(3)^(x)shale)was selected for this study,as one of the main prospective intervals for shale oil exploration and development in the intracratonic Bohai Bay Basin.Mineralogically,it is composed of quartz(avg.9.6%),calcite(avg.58.5%),dolomite(avg.7%),pyrite(avg.3.3%)and clay minerals(avg.20%).An advanced methodology(thin-section petrography,total organic carbon and total organic sulfur contents analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray fluorescence(XRF),field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM))was adopted to establish shale lithofacies and to interpret the depositional environment in the lacustrine basin.Six different types of lithofacies were recognized,based on mineral composition,total organic carbon(TOC)content and sedimentary structures.Various inorganic geochemical proxies(Rb/Sr,Ca/(Ca+Fe),Ti/Al,Al/Ca,Al/Ti,Zr/Rb)have been used to interpret and screen variations in depositional environmental parameters during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale.The experimental results indicate that the environment during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale was warm and humid with heightened salinities,moderate to limited detrital input,higher paleohydrodynamic settings and strong oxygen deficient(reducing)conditions.A comprehensive depositional model of the lacustrine shale was developed.The interpretations deduced from this research work are expected to not only expand the knowledge of shale lithofacies classification for lacustrine fine-grained rocks,but can also offer a theoretical foundation for lacustrine shale oil exploration and development.

Mineralogy and element geochemistry of the Sohnari rocks of Early Eocene Laki Formation in the Southern Indus Basin,Pakistan:Implications for paleoclimate,paleoweathering and paleoredox conditions

The Sohnari Member of the Early Eocene Laki Formation is massively deposited in the Southern Indus Basin of Pakistan and is considered a potential source rock to generate hydrocarbons.However,the detailed paleoclimatic,paleoweathering,and depositional conditions of the Sohnari Member have not been studied earlier.This research mainly discusses the detailed mineralogical(bulk and clay)and elemental geochemistry of the Laki Formation from two outcrop sections(Jhimpir and Lakhra)in the Southern Indus Basin,Pakistan.The bulk minerals,including quartz(low),hematite,calcite,halite,gypsum,and clay minerals such as kaolinite,chlorite,smectite and illite have been discussed here.These results demonstrate the paleo-environment of studied area was arid with enhanced saline and weak to strong oxidizing depositional conditions.The chemical index of alteration(CIA)values in Jhimpir and Lakhra sections are in the ranges of 41.30-97.93 and 22.30-96.19,respectively,indicating that the Sohnari sediments experienced weak to intense chemical weathering in the source area.The interpretation of the A-CN-K ternary diagram is consistent with the clay mineral contents in the studied sediments,which is characterized by the predominance of kaolinite,gibbsite and chlorite,demonstrating the weak to strong weathering state under warm and humid climatic conditions.The chemical indices such as Sr/Ba,δU,V/Cr,Ni/Co,and Cu/Zn,U/Th and Ba/Ga show that Sohnari rocks of Early Eocene Laki Formation underwent strong evaporation,oxic water column with warm to humid and minor contact of cold climatic conditions.Based on our present data,it can be concluded that the sediments of Sohnari Member of Laki Formation from Jhimpir and Lakhra areas of Southern Indus Basin in Pakistan are related to Indio-Eurasian collision and came from the Indian shield rocks that were deposited in a brackish water body with a minor contact of the freshwater oxidizing paleo-environment depositional conditions.

Granulometric and Mineralogical Characterization of the Sands of the Middle Course of the Kasai River (Territory of Ilebo, Province of Kasai/DR Congo)

The sand bars, in perpetual transformation, observable in the middle course of the Kasai river on the section between the city of Ilebo (pk605) to the confluence of the Loange river (pk525), pose enormous navigability problems. This may be dependent on hydrosedimentological characteristics of the Kasai River. This abundance of sand thus conditions the morphology of the middle course of the Kasai River in the section under our study. It therefore constitutes sedimentary navigation obstacles. The objective of this study is the granulometric and mineralogical characterization of the bar sands of the Kasai River in this study section. Particle size analyzes reveal these are moderately well classified to well classified unimodal sands (Classification coefficient between 1.29 to 1.742) largely presenting grain size symmetry and rarely fine asymmetry (Asymmetry coefficient—Skewness between −0.197 to 0.069) with mesorkurtic and rarely leptokurtic and platykurtic acuity (Angulosity coefficient—Kurtosis between 0.814 to 1.323). All these parameters evolve in sawtooth patterns from upstream to downstream. And then, an automated mineralogical analysis of the sands of the Kasaï River using a Qemscan FEG Quanta 650 made it possible to determine a very varied mineralogical procession with a sawtooth evolution. It is largely dominated by quartz (between 93.73% and 99.07%), followed by calcite (0.01% - 2.66%), iron oxides (0.01% - 1.88%), orthoclase (0.04% - 0.99%), plagioclase (0.01% - 0.75%) and Kaolinite (0.18% - 0.71%). Finally, this mineralogical procession is characterized by a group of minerals which do not reach the threshold of 0.55% such as: illite, apatite, ilmenite, muscovite, chlorite, biotite, montmorillonite, rutile, pyrophyllite, siderite, zircon and dolomite. The evolution of the mineralogical procession of the sands of the bars is not as clear as in the case of particle size parameters.

Clay Materials for Ceramics Application from N’Djamena in the Chad Republic: Mineralogical, Physicochemical and Microstructural Characterization

Herein, we report some characteristics of the clayey materials (CMs) collected from Kaliwa (C1), Kabé (C2) and Malo (C3) district in N’Djamena (Chad). Three samples were characterized applying XRF, XRD, FTIR, SEM. In addition, TGA/DSC were performed to control decomposition/mass loss and show phase transitions respectively of CMs. Geochemical analysis by XRF reveals the following minerals composition: SiO2 (~57% - 66%), Al2O3 (~13% - 15%), Fe2O3 (~6% - 10%), TiO2 (~1% - 2%) were the predominant oxides with a reduced proportion in C1, and (~7%) of fluxing agents (K2O, CaO, Na2O). Negligible and trace of MgO (~1%) and P2O5 was noted. The mineralogical composition by XRD shows that, C1, C2 and C3 display close mineralogy with: Quartz (~50%), feldspar (~20%) as non-clay minerals, whereas clays minerals were mostly kaolinite (~15%), illite (~5%) and smectite (~10%). FTIR analysis exhibits almost seemingly similar absorption bands characteristic of hydroxyls elongation, OH valence vibration of Kaolinite and stretching vibration of some Metal-Oxygen bond. SEM micrographs of the samples exhibit microstructureformed by inter-aggregates particles with porous cavities. TGA/DSCconfirm the existence of quartz (570˚C to 870˚C), carbonates (600˚C - 760˚C), kaolinite (569˚C - 988˚C), illite (566˚C - 966˚C), MgO (410˚C - 720˚C) and smectite (650˚C - 900˚C). The overall characterization indicates that, these clayey soils exhibit good properties for ceramic application.

Mineralogy and carbothermal reduction behaviour of vanadium-bearing titaniferous magnetite ore in Eastern India

Vanadium-beaxing titaniferous magnetite bands hosted by Precambrian gabbro-norite-anorthositic rocks or their metamorphic equivalents were discovered in some parts of Eastern Indian Shield, containing 48%-49% Fe （total）, 10%-25% TiO2, and 0.3%-2.20% V2O5 by mass. Mineralogical and petrological study, composition, and characterization of the vanadium-bearing titaniferous magnetite ore were carried out by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray （SEM-EDX）, wave length X-ray florescence （WDXRF）, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy （ICP-AES）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, etc. Chemical beneficiation for valuable metals, such as Fe, Ti, andV, was performed by reduction roasting. The direct and indirect reduction were investigated by mixing the lump ore with solid activated charcoal in a closed reactor and purging the reducing gas mixture in standard reducibility index apparatus at different temperatures and time intervals. The reduction roasting parameters were optimized. Finally, the reduced samples were crushed and upgraded by magnetic separation. The results show that, the maximum mass fractions of magnetic and nonmagnetic parts achieved axe 69.36% and 30.64%, respectively, which contain 10.6% TiO2 and 0.84% V205 in the magnetic part and 36.5% TiO2 and 0.22% V205 in the nonmagnetic part.

Process mineralogy characteristics of acid leaching residue produced in low-temperature roasting-acid leaching pretreatment process of refractory gold concentrates

To provide a theoretical basis for a suitable process to extract gold from refractory gold concentrates, process mineralogy on the acid leaching residue of gold calcine was studied by chemical composition, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy spectrum, and mineral dissociation analysis. The results showed that the acid leaching residue contained Au 68.22 g/t, Ag 92.71 g/t, Fe 0.44%, As 0.10%, and S 0.55%. Gold and silver minerals existed as native gold, argentite, and proustite. Quartz, the main gangue mineral, accounted for 78.33 wt/%. The dissociation degree analysis showed that the proportions of monomer and exposed gold in acid leaching residue were 96.66 wt%. The cyanidation results showed that the cyanide gold leaching rate of acid leaching residues was close to 100 wt%. However, the maximum cyanide gold leaching rate of gold calcine was only 85.31 wt%. This suggests that acid leaching can increase the gold dissolution rate in the cyanide process.

Influence of alumina on mineralogy and environmental properties of zinc-copper smelting slags

An iron-silicate slag, from a zinc-copper smelting process, and mixtures of this slag with 5wt%, 10wt%, and 15wt% alumina addition were re-melted, semi-rapidly solidified, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The FactSageWM6.2 thermodynamic package was applied to compare the stable phases at equilibrium conditions with experimental characterization. A standard European leaching test was also carried out for all samples to investigate the changes in leaching behaviour because of the addition of alumina. Results show that the commonly reported phases for slags from copper and zinc production processes （olivine, pyroxene, and spinel） are the major constituents of the current samples. A correlation can be seen between mineralogical characteristics and leaching behaviours. The sample with 10wt% alumina addition, which contains high amounts of spinels and lower amounts of the other soluble phases, shows the lowest leachabilities for most of the elements.

Raman-IR vibrational and XRD characterization of ancient and modern mineralogy from volcanic eruption in Tenerife Island： Implication for Mars

A detailed vibrational Raman-lR spectroscopic and diffractional analyses have been performed on basalts from two locations from Tenerife Island： （1） the Arenas Negras volcano which belongs to the historical eruption not showing visible alteration and （2） Pillow Lavas zone from Anaga Massif which shows a clearly fluid-rock interaction caused by submarine alteration. These places have been extensively studied due to its similarity with the surface of Mars. The analysis is based on the mineral detection of selected samples by a Micro-Raman study of the materials. The complementary techniques have confirmed the mineralogy detected by the Raman measurement. The results show a volcanic environment behavior with primary phases like olivine, pyroxene, and feldsparJplagioclase. Moreover, the presence of accessory minerals or secondary mineralization like phosphate, iron oxides, zeolite or carbonates shows the alteration processes on each outcrop. The variation in the crystallinity and amorphous phases is related to fluid-rock interaction caused by hydrothermal episodes and external weathering processes, which shows several analogies with the ancient volcanic activity from Mars.

Physicochemistry and Mineralogy of Storm Dust and Dust Sediment in Northern China

Dust sediments collected from 1995 to 1998 in Beijing, Dunhuang, Inner Mongolia, Kashi, the Kunlun Mountains, Lanzhou, Ningxia, the Taklimakan Desert, and Xi’an, China, were characterized in terms of their physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties. Most aerosols and dust analysed ranged in texture from silty clay to clay loam. Their median particle diameters (Mds) generally ranged between 5 to 63 μm, coinciding with those of loess from central China and the finest sand from northwestern China. The dust sediments were characterized by a predominance of SiO2 and Al2O3, followed by K2O. Their SiO2/Al2O3 and K2O/SiO2 molar ratios ranged from 5.17 to 8.43 and from 0.009 to 0.0368, respectively. The mass concentration spectrum during a dust storm showed a single peak, rather than the triple peak generally observed under clear sky conditions. The dominant minerals were chlorite, illite, calcite, and dolomite. These physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties were consistent with those of aeolian soils and loess in western and central China. The results suggest that aerosols and fine-grained fractions of dust sediments collected in northern China are mainly composed of soil material transported from the arid and semiarid regions of China and Mongolia by prevailing winds. The rate of deposition and properties of dust falling on eastern China were strongly influenced by meteorological conditions, season, latitude, longitude, and altitude of the sampling sites.

Process Mineralogy of Lateritic Nickel Ore

This paper presents a methodology for studying low grade lateritic nickel ore, which usually presents complex mineralogy, with widespread nickel in several mineral phases. The study is focused on determining the mineralogy and the distribution of nickel in the bearing minerals. Laboratory assays comprise homogenization, sampling and particle size analysis. Chemical analyses by X-ray fluorescence are performed in all fractions sizes, while mineralogical assessments by X-ray diffraction are carried out for head sample. The mineralogical composition of the samples and the partition of main elements in the bearing minerals are assayed by size fraction through automated image analysis software (MLA) coupled to a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical compositions of the several minerals identified in MLA are determined during systematic observations on SEM with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).

Mineralogy and Chemistry of Sulfides from the Longqi and Duanqiao Hydrothermal Fields in the Southwest Indian Ridge

Recent investigations found that hydrothermal activity and sulfide mineralization occurs along the Southwest Indian Ridge（SWIR）. The Longqi and Duanqiao hydrothermal fields between 49° E and 53° E of the SWIR are two prospective mineralization areas discovered by Chinese scientists. With the aim to determine the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of sulfide minerals, we have conducted detailed studies for samples from the two areas using an optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and electron microprobe. The mineralization processes in the Longqi area are divided into three main stages：（1） the low-medium-temperature stage： colloform pyrite（Py I） ＋ marcasite → euhedral pyrite（Py II）,（2） the high-temperature stage： isocubanite（±exsolved chalcopyrite） ＋ pyrrhotite → coarse-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp I）, and（3） the medium–low-temperature stage： sphalerite ＋ fine-grained chalcopyrite inclusions（Ccp II） → aggregates of anhedral pyrite（Py III） ± marcasite → Fe-oxide（-hydroxide） ＋ amorphous silica. The mineralization processes in the Duanqiao area are divided into two main stages：（1） the medium–high-temperature stage： subhedral and euhedral pyrite（Py I′） → coarse-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp I′） and（2） the medium–low-temperature stage： sphalerite → fine-grained chalcopyrite（Ccp II′） ＋ chalcopyrite inclusions（Ccp II′） → silica-cemented pyrite（Py II′） ＋ marcasite → Fe-oxide ＋ amorphous silica. We suggest that the fine-grained chalcopyrite inclusions in sphalerite from Longqi and Duanqiao were formed by co-precipitation and replacement mechanisms, respectively. Primary sphalerites from both fields are enriched in Fe（avg. 5.84 wt% for the Longqi field vs. avg. 3.69 wt% for the Duanqiao field）, Co（avg. 185.56 ppm for the Longqi field vs. 160.53 ppm for the Duanqiao field）, and Cd（avg. 1950 ppm for the Longqi field vs. avg. 525.26 ppm for the Duanqiao field）. Cu contents in pyrite from the Duanqiao field（Py I′： avg. 849.23 ppm and Py II′： avg. 1191.11 ppm） tend to be higher than those from the Longqi field（Py I： avg. 26.67 ppm, Py II： avg. 445 ppm, and Py III： avg. 179.29 ppm）. Chalcopyrite from both fields is enriched in Zn（Ccp I： avg. 3226.67 ppm, Ccp II： avg. 9280 ppm, Ccp I′： avg. 848 ppm, Ccp II′（inclusions）： avg. 1098 ppm, and Ccp II′（fine-grained）： avg. 1795 ppm）. The varying contents of Zn in the different pyrite and chalcopyrite generations may result from the zone refining process. An integrated study of the mineralogy and mineralogical chemistry suggests that the hydrothermal fluids of the Longqi area are likely conditioned with higher temperatures and relatively lower fO2 and fS2 than those of the Duanqiao area, but in contrast to the former, the latter is much affected by the compositions of the surrounding rocks.

Mineralogy and fracture development characteristics of marine shale-gas reservoirs: A case study of Lower Silurian strata in southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, China

Mineral contents and fractures of shale from well Yuye-1 and outcrops were examined mainly based on systematic description of the cores and outcrops, and data from experimental analyses. The data enabled us to thoroughly explore the mineralogy and developmental features of shale of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the study area. The results show that,the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale(SLS) in the southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, China, is primarily characterized by a high content of brittle minerals and a relatively low content of clay minerals. The total content of brittle minerals is approximately 57%,including 27% quartz, 12.2% feldspar, 11.2% carbonate and 2.4% pyrite. The total content of clay minerals reaches 41.6%,composed of illite(23.8%), mixed-layer of illite and smectite(I/S)(10.8%) and chlorite(7.0%). The SLS accommodates the widespread development of various types of fractures, including tectonic fractures, diagenetic fractures, inter-layer fractures and slip fractures. The developmental level of the fracture in the SLS is mainly influenced by faults, lithology, mineral contents and total organic carbon content(TOC) in study area.

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Major, Trace and Rare Earth Elements in Sediments of the Hypersaline Urmia Salt Lake, Iran

Urmia Salt Lake （USL） is a hypersaline lake located at the NW corner of the Iran platform. The lake area is estimated to have been over 5000 km2 at one point, but has now decreased to 〈1000 km^2 in the last two decades. It contains 4.6×109 tons of halite and other detrital and evaporative minerals such as calcite, aragonite, dolomite, quartz, feldspars, augite and sylvite. This study examined the mineralogy and geochemistry of bed sediments along the mid-east toward NE bank sediments collected from 1.5 meters depth and nearby augite placer. Due to the diverse iithology of the surrounding geology, bed sediments vary from felsic in the mid-east to mafic in the northeast. Weathering of tephrite and adakite rocks of the Islamic Island at the immediate boundary has produced a large volume of augite placer over a 40 km length, parallel to the shoreline. Based on the study result, weathering increases from south to north and the geochemistry of the sediments shows enrichment of MgO, CaO, Sr and Ba associated with Sr deployment in all samples. Rare earth elements （REE） patterns normalized to the upper continental crust （UCC） indicated LREEs enrichment compared to HREEs with an elevated anomaly of Eu, possibly due to surface absorbance of Mn and Fe minerals, associated with Sr elevation originating from adakites in the lake basin vicinity.

Geochemistry, Petrology and Mineralogy of Coal Measure Shales in the Middle Jurassic Yanan Formation from Northeastern Ordos Basin, China: Implications for Shale Gas Accumulation

The Jurassic Yanan Formation is one of the most important coal-producing formations and hydrocarbon source rocks in the Ordos Basin, North China. To evaluate the shale gas potential of the Yanan shale, a total of 48 samples from north Ordos Basin were sampled, and their geochemical, petrological, mineralogical and pore characteristics were investigated. It was found that the shale samples are a suite of early mature source rock. The total organic carbon(TOC) content ranges from 0.33% to 24.12% and the hydrogen index(HI) ranges from 43.31 mg/g to 330.58 mg/g. The relationship between Tmax and HI indicates the organic matter is type Ⅱ-Ⅲ. This conclusion is also supported by the organic petrological examination results, which shows that the kerogen is mainly liptinite and vitrinite. Minerals in the samples are composed mainly of quartz, clay and feldspar, and the clay minerals are composed of prevailing kaolinite, illite/smectite, chlorite and a small amount of illite. Under scanning electron microscope, OM pores in the Yanan shale are scarce except pores come from the kerogen intrinsic texture or clay aggregates within the organic particles. As the weak compaction caused by shallow burial depth, interparticle pores and intraparticle pores are common, the hydrocarbon storage capacity of the Yanan shale was improved. According to evaluation, the Yanan shale is considered as a good shale gas reservoir, but its hydrocarbon potential is more dependent on biogenic and coal-derived gas as the thermogenic gas is limited by the lower thermal maturity.

Applied Mineralogy Studies of Rare-Earth Ores

New attention has been given to the resources of rare earth minerals over the last years. The natural shortage of these elements in the Earth’s crust and trade restrictions recently imposed by China, motivated the Brazilian Government to encourage new projects by inserting the exploitation of rare earths in the National Mining Plan, which deals with industry strategic issues in the country, helping to reduce current importation. The incentives can be in the choice of future targets for mineral exploration and for the development of laboratory studies and pilot scale processing tests.

A semi-quantitative coal burst risk classification system

Safety is the highest priority in the mining industry as underground mining in particular poses high safety risks to its workers. In underground coal mines, coal bursts are one of the most catastrophic hazards, which involves sudden and violent dynamic coal mass failure with rapid ejection of the broken material into the mine workings. Despite decades of research, the contributing mechanisms of coal bursts are still not completely understood. Hence, it remains challenging to forecast coal bursts and quantify their likelihood of occurrence. However, a range of geological and geotechnical factors are associated with coal bursts and can increase the coal burst proneness. This paper introduces a semi-quantitative coal burst risk classification system, namely, BurstRisk. Based on back-analysis of case histories from Australia, China and the United States, BurstRisk classifies the coal burst risk into three categories:low, medium and high risk. In addition, it allows mining engineers to modify the weighting of the selected factors based on specific conditions. The risk classification charts introduced are for both longwall retreat and development sections of long-wall mining operations. This paper also provides a set of risk management strategies and control measures for effective coal burst mitigation.