Abstract: The degree of mineral liberation has a significant effect on the separation efficiency of flotation,and accurate analysis of the mineral liberation behavior on the particle surface is a prerequisite for efficient control of the flotation process. We summarized the common methods of mineral surface liberation analysis in the field of mineral processing:2D liberation analysis based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM),stereoscopic correction of 2D liberation and 3D liberation analysis methods (X-ray micro tomography). When the 2D liberation analysis method is applied to low liberation coarse composite particle, there is a stereological bias,and the 2D mineral liberation stereological correction of complex associated particles still faces challenges. 2D liberation analysis are suitable for individual or highly liberated particles by traditional flotation,while for coarse particles with low mineral liberation,3D liberation analysis can provide more accurate physical property analysis results without stereological bias.

Key words: degree of surface liberation,stereological correction,X-ray micro tomography (XMT)