Determination of Ag, Au, Cu and Zn in ore samples from two Mexican mines by various thermal and epithermal NAA techniques

Abstract

Concentrations of Ag, Au, Cu and Zn were determined via neutron activation analysis in ore prospecting samples from the Cozamin and Tizapa Mexican mines. Ag concentrations were determined by applying cyclic epithermal neutron activation analysis. The method combined with an automated fast-pneumatic transfer system allows increased sample through-put which improves the analytical precision in silver prospecting. Combinations of thermal, epithermal and Compton suppression NAA were used to improve signal-to-noise ratios. Mining depths with significantly higher levels of Ag were determined. Reference material concentrations for quality control were found to be in good agreement with the certified values.

Rare earths analysis of rock samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis, internal standard method

“…INAA is characterized by a relatively low price for REE determination [1] due to the wide-spread accessibility of research reactors around the world. All these advantages promote the broad application of INAA to geological sample analysis for major and trace elements [14], noble metals [15], and REE [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] content.…”