New Application Bulletin Covers Mine Face Analysis Grade Control
09 January 2006
Billerica, MA. Thermo Electron Corporation’s NITON Analyzers product line, internationally recognized as the leader in handheld, portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology, together with its technical partner, NITON Mining Technologies, announce the publication of a new Application Bulletin which focuses on the demanding application of direct measurements on the mine face for ore grade control.
Of equal importance to both large-scale facilities as well as small, remote operations in undeveloped areas, this new Application Bulletin focuses on the ability of this technology to provide geologists and mine managers with real time data- thereby eliminating the inefficiencies which result from delays which occur while waiting for laboratory analysis.
The delineation of ore from waste at the mine face has traditionally been the responsibility of the grade control geologist. When visual identification of ore/waste boundaries is impossible, the ability to back up a geologist’s judgment with rapid, on-site geochemical data increases confidence in the decisions being made. Thermo Electron’s NITON field portable XRF analyzer quickly generates data from a range of sample types including in-situ sample points at the mine face.
Focusing on providing analytical results at some of the most remote locations in the world, the Mine Face Analysis Grade Control Application Bulletin addresses the performance of a NITON XLt 592 handheld XRF analyzer conducting discrete measurements at 50cm intervals in a vertical line down the mine face.
Quality control measures, including one-meter composite “channel samples” are discussed, as well as optimization of the analyzer for matrix and moisture characteristics of the site. Analytical data is also presented, which relates the correlation of these mine face “in-situ” measurements to those of laboratory analysis.
Thermo Electron’s NITON XRF analyzers are also used for a number of other key mining applications including green field exploration and process control, for everything from base metal exploration to the assay of copper, nickel and lead, plus PGM pathfinder analysis of lead, mercury and arsenic. Analysis of tantalite ore and rare earth elements are additional areas which suit the core competencies of this instrument.
