field portable sample preparation tools for mineral ... · chris calam bca april 2013 . 2 stages of...

Field Portable Sample Preparation

Tools for Mineral Analysis in

Remote Locations

Chris Calam

BCA April 2013

2

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

0

5

10

15

20

25

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 (New Discovery)

Niton XRF XL3t Goldd

Genalysis lab results

Partial digest and analysis by ICP-MS

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

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 (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

5

10

15

20

25

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

0

5

10

15

20

25

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