System for the online sorting of ore samples based on a mineralogy analysis

A system for the online sorting of ore samples based on a mineralogy analysis thereof, comprising:

• a conveyor for moving a stream of the ore samples along a conveying path, the ore samples having a variability of sample height over the conveyor;
• a LIBS module projecting a LIBS laser beam of optical pulses along an optical path focused on an analysis spot over the conveying path, the analysis spot having dimensions of the order of one or a few mineral components of the ore samples, the LIBS module collecting a LIBS light signal returning along said optical path;
• a height measuring device configured to measure in real time the sample height of a top surface of the ore sample stream at a point upstream the LIBS module and along a conveyor travel axis intersecting the LIBS laser beam;
• a focus controller in communication with the height measuring device and configured to focus the LIBS laser beam at the sample height in synchronicity with the travel of the ore samples and with the optical pulses;
• an air flow system configured to generate at least one air flow moving particles away from said optical path;
• and
• a processing unit for performing the mineralogy analysis of the ore sample based on the LIBS light signal.