METHOD FOR TOMOGRAPHIC RECONSTRUCTION OF A SAMPLE University of South Australia; University of Trieste (Re-filing of Australian Provisional Patent No 2015902664)

METHOD FOR TOMOGRAPHIC RECONSTRUCTION OF A SAMPLE TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to tomographic reconstruction of a sample. In a particular form, the present invention relates to reconstruction of a micro-tomographic scan of a mineral sample to determine sample composition. BACKGROUND [0002] The metallurgical performance (metal recovery and concentrate grade) of an operating plant is determined by the liberation spectrum of the particles undergoing concentration and by the efficiency of the separation process. Ideally, maximum separation efficiency is achieved when particles are fully liberated. In practice, optimum liberation is always a compromise between ore mineralogy and energy required for commination. In this contest, the possibility to assess the minerals liberation in the feed to the plant is a key factor for tuning the grinding systems at one side and to adjust the separation circuit at the other side. The combined use of scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements of areal-grades (QEM-Scan) or linear intercepts on transects (MLA) of polished sections of the particles is popular to assess minerals liberation. However, these methods provide biased estimates of liberation. The stereological correction methods for converting (e.g. via kernel correction) these low dimensional measurements into volumetric grade distributions are complex and not well established procedures. In addition, these kernel correction procedures require time consuming sample preparation and measurements and are not free of error.