IMA Engineering - Online Mineral Analyzers

IMA is a geochemical online analyzer supplier for customers in the mining, construction, cement and industrial minerals industries. IMA's advanced and durable online analyzers and systems have helped customers to reach optimum performance in their operations for over 15 years. Over 100 IMA online analyzers have been installed worldwide.

IMA’s strength is not only in technical and analytical competence, but also in its flexibility to find the correct solutions for many different mining applications. IMA’s personnel have backgrounds in the mineral processing industry and related analytical sciences.

Online industrial mineral analyzers

The technology in IMA’s online analyzers has been used for years in the base metal, industrial minerals and cement industries. Low-grade precious metal and diamond applications have been successfully analyzed by following trace elements and host minerals.

IMA’s technology helps customers to meet their ever-increasing environmental challenges through more efficient use of raw materials or better waste control in mines and in quarries. The company’s track record also shows its determination and commitment to continuously develop new applications for the benefit of mining companies and mining technology providers.

Drill rig sampler-analyzer systems

Technical online analysis solutions are now available in real-time with integrated sampler-analyzer systems on drill rigs. This system enables up to 100% of the drill cuttings to be sampled and analyzed in real-time, thus reducing the sampling error to a minimum. The analysis result is connected with the drill penetration depth and speed to be used in the blast field modeling and loading control.

With IMA’s drill rig sampler-analyzer systems, mine grade control will improve, resulting in lower waste rock dilution and in less ore losses. These systems will be available soon via global drill technology suppliers, covering both the technical part and complete 3D block design service.

Mine and quarry cross-belt analysis

Cross-belt analysis with IMA’s online analyzer technology in the mine or in the quarry is possible already from the primary crushed run-of-mine ore from the conveyor with varying material load. Earlier analysis is used for instance in loading control to monitor the grade and quality to make corrections based on instant (< 1min) and short time average calculations (on a minute-to-minute basis).

Fast and early online analysis of the incoming raw material to the processing plant helps to optimize all used materials better. Quarry control according to analyzer data is typically done either by selective loading into the crusher or by mixing analyzed materials to stockpiles to reach the desired blend. IMA analyzers have no radioactive sources in use.

Online slurry analyzer

Slurry analysis in mineral processing plants typically involves the online analysis of elemental compositions of finely ground dry powders or wet mineral slurries. IMA’s online slurry analysis ensures maximum recovery and stable product quality at all times. In addition, the tailings streams can be monitored and controlled to reduce mineral losses.

Ore processing analyzer systems

Fast and accurate online analysis represents modern thinking towards ore processing. The chemical compositions of vital process streams can be analyzed, and important process stages can be recorded and reacted with IMA online control.

Bulk-material analyzers

QuarCon bulk-material XRF analyzers are used to monitor ore quality on the belt at the quarry or in the mine before the mineral processing plant.

The OreSpex bulk-material LIF/LIBS analyzer is the newest member in the analyzer family. OreSpex enables even earlier control options at the mines and quarries through fast ore mineral and rock identification and even the light elements. This enables waste rock dilution control in the mine, thus saving time and money.

Online analyzers for dry or slurry materials

IMACON online XRF analyzers are used for finely grinded dry or slurry minerals at the concentrator or other in a process plant. Fast analysis and control of the material ensures stable product quality all times. IMACON comes with a custom-designed sampling system.

IMA’s online analyzers can be used instead of conventional analysis systems consisting of sampling, sample preparation and analysis in the laboratory. IMA analyzers are rugged, easy-to-use and economical, and have a simple design.