SAMPLING , ANALYSIS AND LAB ASSAY
In 2021 , Thermo Fisher Scientific launched the Niton XL5 Plus handheld XRF analyser , bringing with it “ unprecedented analytical performance and accuracy ” when analysing both light elements and heavy metals , the company says
element sensitivity for the most demanding applications , such as measurements of REEs ,” the company says .
The Niton XL5 Plus REE mode covers an
elemental range from magnesium to uranium , including light REEs such as lanthanum , cerium , praseodymium and neodymium . Scandium and yttrium have similar chemical properties and , usually , occur in the same ore deposits as heavy REEs , making it possible to infer concentrations of heavier REEs from measured yttrium and scandium values , Thermo Fisher Scientific says . “ Measured element concentration can be quickly mapped using the integrated GPS or by connecting the Niton XL5 Plus analyser with an external professional GPS ,” it added . “ With an IP54 rating , the Niton XL5 Plus analyser is splash-proof , dust-proof and ideally suited for the rugged surroundings of exploration fields and mines .”
And the handheld XRF analyser ’ s credentials
have been put to the test with collected samples from different Canadian mining companies .
These samples had previously been pulverised to a typical particle size of less than 250 µ m and introduced into sample cups fitted with 4 µ m polypropylene film . The sample cups were then placed on a test stand . Analysis was then executed using the Niton XL5 Plus REE mode for 180 seconds to measure REE and concomitant elements from magnesium to uranium .
The results were positive when compared with assays carried out in laboratories , with strong correlations between the lab assays and measured values apparent in the yttrium , lanthanum and cerium results . In fact , the coefficient of determination , or R ², was above 0.99 in three of four results ( neodymium obtaining an R ² of 0.9894 ).
“ Also , the instrument ’ s accuracy ‘ out-of-thebox ’ is adequate and can be further improved by applying type standardisation ,” Thermo Fisher Scientific said .
The company concluded : “ The new Niton XL5 Plus REE mode empowers geologists and miners to target elements in complex minerals with unprecedented sensitivity . Localising anomalies and identifying drilling targets , the Niton XL5 Plus handheld analyser is an indispensable tool to make informed decisions and accelerate REE exploration , considerably reducing lab analysis
costs .”
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