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Abstract

An on-stream method and apparatus for measuring the content of a mineral constituent in a flowing slurried ore on a dry weight basis, is provided. The slurry density and flow rate, and optionally temperature, are measured to calculate a period of time during which the flowing slurry is diverted into a vessel in order to collect a target mass of ore solids therein. The time period is preferably calculated according to the following formula: ##EQU1## wherein: t is the period of time (sec); M.sub.solid is the selected target mass of the ore (g); Q.sub.slurry is the measured mass flow rate of the slurry (g/sec); p.sub.water is the density of water (g/cm.sup.3); p.sub.slurry is the measured density of the slurry (g/cm.sup.3); and p.sub.solid is the known density of the ore solids contained in the slurry (g/cm.sup.3). The slurry flow is then diverted into the vessel for the duration of the calculated time period. During the diverting, the slurry density, flow rate, and optionally temperature are remeasured to calculate the actual mass of ore solids diverted into the vessel. The mineral constituent of the ore solids is then analyzed and determined as a percentage of the diverted slurry solids. The measurement method has particular utility in controlling froth flotation beneficiation processes.

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