Analysis of gold in rock samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: Matrix and heterogeneity effects

Rifaï, Kheireddine; LaFlamme, Marcel; Constantin, Marc; Vidal, François; Sabsabi, Mohamad; Blouin, Alain; Bouchard, Paul; Fytas, Kostas; Castello, Maryline; Kamwa, Blandine Nguegang

doi:10.1016/j.sab.2017.06.004

Cited by 42 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…There is the additional feature that LIBS sampling is highly spatially resolved, as the plasma forms over a limited spatial area of only tens to hundreds of microns on the sample surface, so that only a small amount of material (typically picograms to nanograms) is sampled by each laser pulse. This allows for in situ analysis of individual particles, mineral grains, or inclusions [33,[37][38][39][40][41], as well as the fine-scale compositional mapping of a complex sample such as a chemically zoned mineral [42][43][44][45][46][47], the analysis of thin crusts, coatings, or surface alteration zones without substrate interference [48], or chemical analysis at highly spatially resolved spatial scales to below~10 µm [47,[49][50][51][52][53][54]. Stratigraphic analysis of a sample by depth profiling is also possible, as sequential ablation forms a vertical crater that progressively bores down into a sample with successive laser pulses [55][56][57].…”

Section: Specific Attributes Of Libsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rifai et al [47] determined the Au contents of 43 rock samples and 44 synthetic pressed powder reference materials of different composition, which had quasi-homogeneous Au concentrations between 0 and 1000 ppm based on a calibration curve developed using the Au spectral line at 267.59 nm. The bespoke LIBS system used for this study consisted of a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser capable of delivering pulse energies of up to 600 mJ at a repetition rate of 10 Hz.…”

Section: Libs For Ore Prospectingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy—An Emerging Analytical Tool for Mineral Exploration

et al. 2019

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The mineral exploration industry requires new methods and tools to address the challenges of declining mineral reserves and increasing discovery costs. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) represents an emerging geochemical tool for mineral exploration that can provide rapid, in situ, compositional analysis and high-resolution imaging in both laboratory and field and settings. We demonstrate through a review of previously published research and our new results how LIBS can be applied to qualitative element detection for geochemical fingerprinting, sample classification, and discrimination, as well as quantitative geochemical analysis, rock characterization by grain size analysis, and in situ geochemical imaging. LIBS can detect elements with low atomic number (i.e., light elements), some of which are important pathfinder elements for mineral exploration and/or are classified as critical commodities for emerging green technologies. LIBS data can be acquired in situ, facilitating the interpretation of geochemical data in a mineralogical context, which is important for unraveling the complex geological history of most ore systems. LIBS technology is available as a handheld analyzer, thus providing a field capability to acquire low-cost geochemical analyses in real time. As a consequence, LIBS has wide potential to be utilized in mineral exploration, prospect evaluation, and deposit exploitation quality control. LIBS is ideally suited for field exploration programs that would benefit from rapid chemical analysis under ambient environmental conditions. Minerals 2019, 9, 718 2 of 45 government to search for additional mineral resources in green-field (i.e., remote) and brown-field (i.e., near mine) exploration environments [7][8][9]. However, the global trends of declining mineral reserves for many commodities and increasing discovery costs [3,4,10] suggest that exploration investment is insufficient and/or is not being deployed in the most effective manner possible. Both trends are also occurring at a time when new mineral deposit discoveries tend to be deeper, covered, and/or more remote, which are unlike near-surface mines that were often found, at least initially, by prospectors [4,[7][8][9]11].To address increasing demand and declining mineral reserves from deeper and more challenging deposits, the mineral exploration industry had to evolve and innovate by adopting new, cost-effective methodologies and technologies. For example, new conceptual models provide a predictive framework to identify the kinds of large-scale geological environments that should be considered the most prospective for finding additional mineral resources in greenfield areas of sparse geological data [12-15]. The ore system concept, which includes all of the geological processes required to transport and concentrate ore components from source to ore (i.e., drivers, sources, pathways, and traps), is one such predictive framework [12][13][14]16]. Because each of the required ore-forming components is manifested in the rock record as chan...

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Section: Specific Attributes Of Libsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Libs For Ore Prospectingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy—An Emerging Analytical Tool for Mineral Exploration

et al. 2019

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“…Hand-held X-ray fluorescence has already been used in some base metal mines for the determination of grade at the face; however, it has yet to be applied successfully in precious metal mines. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been slated as a potential contributor, though its application within the mining industry is still at an early stage [69].…”

Section: Making Efficiency Gainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating the Theory of Sampling into Underground Mine Grade Control Strategies

et al. 2018

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Grade control in underground mines aims to deliver quality tonnes to the process plant via the accurate definition of ore and waste. It comprises a decision-making process including data collection and interpretation; local estimation; development and mining supervision; ore and waste destination tracking; and stockpile management. The foundation of any grade control programme is that of high-quality samples collected in a geological context. The requirement for quality samples has long been recognised, where they should be representative and fit-for-purpose. Once a sampling error is introduced, it propagates through all subsequent processes contributing to data uncertainty, which leads to poor decisions and financial loss. Proper application of the Theory of Sampling reduces errors during sample collection, preparation, and assaying. To achieve quality, sampling techniques must minimise delimitation, extraction, and preparation errors. Underground sampling methods include linear (chip and channel), grab (broken rock), and drill-based samples. Grade control staff should be well-trained and motivated, and operating staff should understand the critical need for grade control. Sampling must always be undertaken with a strong focus on safety and alternatives sought if the risk to humans is high. A quality control/quality assurance programme must be implemented, particularly when samples contribute to a reserve estimate. This paper assesses grade control sampling with emphasis on underground gold operations and presents recommendations for optimal practice through the application of the Theory of Sampling.

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“…This is because of an inhomogeneous distribution of the minor elements in the sample [20]. However, an uncertainty of the order of 1% affecting the major components can correspond to very large uncertainty values on the minor components [17]. Therefore, a correction coefficient α was introduced to calibrate the influence of factors such as spatial inhomogeneity, detection efficiency, self-absorption, spectral line broadening, etc on the spectral intensity, so as to ensure the relative measurement accuracy of minor elements in the sample.…”

Section: Determination Of the Optimal Plasma Temperature And Correctimentioning

confidence: 99%

Accurate quantitative CF-LIBS analysis of both major and minor elements in alloys via iterative correction of plasma temperature and spectral intensity

(赵书霞)

Zhang

Hou

et al. 2018

Plasma Sci. Technol.

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The chemical composition of alloys directly determines their mechanical behaviors and application fields. Accurate and rapid analysis of both major and minor elements in alloys plays a key role in metallurgy quality control and material classification processes. A quantitative calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) analysis method, which carries out combined correction of plasma temperature and spectral intensity by using a secondorder iterative algorithm and two boundary standard samples, is proposed to realize accurate composition measurements. Experimental results show that, compared to conventional CF-LIBS analysis, the relative errors for major elements Cu and Zn and minor element Pb in the copperlead alloys has been reduced from 12%, 26% and 32% to 1.8%, 2.7% and 13.4%, respectively. The measurement accuracy for all elements has been improved substantially.

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Analysis of gold in rock samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: Matrix and heterogeneity effects

Cited by 42 publications

References 12 publications

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy—An Emerging Analytical Tool for Mineral Exploration

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy—An Emerging Analytical Tool for Mineral Exploration

Integrating the Theory of Sampling into Underground Mine Grade Control Strategies

Accurate quantitative CF-LIBS analysis of both major and minor elements in alloys via iterative correction of plasma temperature and spectral intensity

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