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Field Portable Sample Preparation
Tools for Mineral Analysis in
Remote Locations
Chris Calam
BCA April 2013
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Stages of Exploration/Mining
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What is the Purpose of Mineral Exploration
•To find an ore body (deposit)
•To determine if it is economical to mine
•To investigate how to mine it
•Achieved in stages
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One of Several Deposit Types
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Exploration – Tools utilised
• Local geological records/maps
•Use various techniques (mainly Geophysics) to
map geology and geophysical properties of region
• to infer information used to target ore bodies for
mining
•Gravitational
•Magnetics
•Electromagnetics
•Radiometrics
•NIR
•FP-XRF
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What is Field Portable XRF
•For when elemental analysis of soils and rock
samples are required
•Used in regional soil geochemical surveys looking
for pathfinder elements
•Proven Technology
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Why is Portable XRF so Widely Used in Mining?
• Cost-effective analytical
technique
• Simultaneous multiple elements
• Non-destructive
• Real-time data, quick
turnaround
• Excellent correlation with lab
when allied with sample
preparation
• Consistent data quality
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Mapping Case Study: Banana Zone Cu-Ag Project, Botswana
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Cu
(p
pm
)
Sample
Soil Results Comparison (New Discovery)
Niton XRF XL3t Goldd
Genalysis lab results
Partial digest and analysis by ICP-MS
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Cu
(p
pm
)
Sample
Soil Results Comparison (Chalcosite Zone)
Niton XRF XL3t Goldd+
Genalysis lab results
1 km
Cu Anomaly
Cu Anomaly
Partial digest and analysis by ICP-MS
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0
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
Cu
(p
pm
)
Sample
Soil Results Comparison (North Limb)
Niton XRF XL3t Goldd+ Niton XRF FXL Genalysis lab results
Partial digest and analysis by ICP-MS
Mapping Case Study: Banana Zone Cu-Ag Project, Botswana
1 km
Cu Anomaly
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5
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20
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
Cu
(p
pm
)
Sample
Soils Results Comparison (South Limb Infill)
Niton XRF XL3t Goldd+ Niton FXL Genalysis lab results
Partial digest and analysis by ICP-MS Cu
Anomaly
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What Performance is Demanded
• Mapping anomalies is straight forward
• Semi-Quantitative is acceptable
• No sample preparation is required
• Drilling, grade control – Resource Estimation
• Quantitative analysis is required
• Sample is heterogeneous
Baseline at 3-5ppm
Anomaly at 20-50ppm
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Typical Heterogeneous Rock
>400 ppm As
300-400 ppm As
200-300 ppm As
100-200 ppm As
<100 ppm As
Breccia clast
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Limestone
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Limestone
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PbZn Ore
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PbZn Ore
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Granite
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Granite - Point and Shoot
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Granite – Makita Pressed in Tubes
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Granite – Mill Pressed in Tubes
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Direct vs. Prepared
• Left un-prepared
• Right prepared samples.
• It is up to the client to decide which one is better: time vs. accuracy.
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Case Study: Base Metal Exploration in Mexico
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Base Metal Exploration in Mexico
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Base Metal Exploration in Mexico
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Base Metal Exploration in Mexico
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Base Metal Exploration in Mexico
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Magnesium
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Nickel
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Iron
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•How to do sample preparation in
remote locations with no power?
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Portable Battery Operated Sample Prep Tools
Direct Rock Sampler
Sample Press 12V/ 5kg portable Mill
Crusher
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Simple to Operate
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Sample Preparation Tools
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Opens Up New Markets
• Oil and Gas Exploration
• Mud logging (geochemical analysis)
• Gas and oil shale (light element ratios)
• Industrial Minerals
• Limestone
• Silica sand
• Clay
• Steel slag
• Cement – raw meal and gypsum addition
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Conclusion
• Sample preparation reduces RSD% significantly for all elements
• Utilise where appropriate
• Critical for light element quantification
• Generates data comparable to labs
• Potential to open up new markets
• e.g. Limestone mapping
