Near real-time management of spectral interferences with portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometers: application to Sc quantification in nickeliferous laterite ores

Lacroix, Elodie; Cauzid, Jean; Teitler, Yoram; Cathelineau, ‪Michel

doi:10.1144/geochem2021-015

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Once verified, deposit-scale Sc-Al 2 O 3 correlations may first prove useful to estimate Sc concentrations on surface outcrops or pit walls using portable devices such as pXRF. Indeed, the relatively low Sc concentrations observed in Ni-laterites (<100 ppm) limit the use of pXRF to directly assess Sc [51], whereas Al concentrations, typically about a few wt%, can be confidently estimated using such a device. The slightly lower accuracy obtained on Al analysis from pXRF than from a classical assay analysis would only marginally affect the estimation of Sc.…”

Section: Implications For the Assessment Of Sc In Ni-lateritesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Sc Concentrations in Ni-Co Laterites Using Al as a Geochemical Proxy

et al. 2022

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Scandium (Sc) is used in several modern industrial applications. Recently, significant Sc concentrations (~100 ppm) were reported in some nickel-cobalt lateritic ores, where Sc may be valuably co-produced. However, Sc is typically not included in routine analyses of Ni-Co ores. This contribution examines the relevance of using routinely analysed elements as geochemical proxies for estimating Sc concentration and distribution. Three Ni-Co lateritic deposits from New Caledonia were investigated. In each deposit, Sc is well correlated with Al2O3. The slopes of deposit-scale Sc-Al2O3 regression lines are remarkably controlled by the composition of enstatite from the parent peridotite. In all deposits, maximum Sc enrichment occurs in the yellow limonite, above the highest Ni and Co enrichment zones. Sc- and Al-bearing crystalline goethite is predominant in the oxide-rich zones, though Sc shows a higher affinity for amorphous iron oxides than Al. We propose that, in already assayed Ni-Co lateritic ores, the concentration and distribution of Sc can be estimated from that of Al. Deposit-scale Sc-Al2O3 correlations may be determined after analysing a limited number of spatially and chemically representative samples. Therefore, mining operators may get a first-order evaluation of the Sc potential resource in Ni-Co lateritic deposits at low additional costs.

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Section: Implications For the Assessment Of Sc In Ni-lateritesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Sc Concentrations in Ni-Co Laterites Using Al as a Geochemical Proxy

et al. 2022

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“…The first two principal dimensions CCA1 and CCA2 explained 35.9% and 18.5 % of the total variance, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between sand and Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Fe; clay and Al, V, and Ni; Silt and Al, Ni, and V. Here, one is expecting Cr to be positively correlated to soil texture ( Kim & Dixon, 2002 ; Lacroix et al, 2021 ; Rudzionis et al, 2022 ), however, due to high Fe concentration, the pXRF efficiency in reporting the actual amount of Cr declines due to a lower absorption edge in energy than the fluorescent peak of Fe (EPA, 2007). Such an effect can be corrected mathematically using fundamental parameter coefficients related to particle size and matrix effects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…V. Here, one is expecting Cr to be positively correlated to soil texture (Kim & Dixon, 2002;Lacroix et al, 2021;Rudzionis et al, 2022), however, due to high Fe concentration, the pXRF efficiency in reporting the actual amount of Cr declines due to a lower absorption edge in energy than the fluorescent peak of Fe (EPA, 2007). Such an effect can be corrected mathematically using fundamental parameter coefficients related to particle size and matrix effects.…”

Section: Challenges Associated With Select Soil Properties and The Pxrfmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Portable X-ray Fluorescence Reliability for Metal(loid)s Detection and Soil Contamination Status

Alqattan,

Artiola,

Walls

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Environmental Justice (EJ) communities may experience barriers that can prevent soil monitoring efforts and knowledge transfer. To address this gap, this study compared two analytical methods: portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (pXRF, less time and costs) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS, “gold standard”). Surface soil samples were collected from yards and gardens in three counties in Arizona, USA (N=124) and public areas in Troy, New York, USA (N=33). Statistical calculations, i.e., two-sample t-tests, Bland-Altman plots, and a two-way ANOVA indicated no significant difference for As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations except for Ba in the two-sample t-test. Iron, Ni, Cr, and K were statistically different for Arizona soils and V, Ni, Fe and Al concentrations were statistically different for New York soils. To assess the degree of contamination, a pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factors (EF), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were calculated for both methods using U.S. Geological Survey soils data. The PLI were >1, indicating pollution across the two states. Between pXRF and ICP-MS, the Igeo and EF in Arizona had similar degree of soil contamination for most elements except Zn in garden and Pb in yard, respectively. In New York, the Igeo of As, Cu, and Zn differed by an order of magnitude between the two methods. The results of this study demonstrate that pXRF is a reliable method for the inexpensive and rapid analysis of As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn. Thus, EJ communities may use pXRF to screen large numbers of soil samples for several environmentally relevant contaminants to protect environmental public health.

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“…Moreover, the period of intense weathering is not yet constrained. Although the formation of Ni laterite deposits have been linked to climate change [113], there is no clear relationship between the present climate and the ore type, grade, or size of Ni(Co) laterite deposits from this region. It should be of interest to constrain whether or not some localities have undergone cold month mean temperatures of 15-27 • C or warm month mean temperatures of 22-31 • C [114].…”

Section: Research Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to Ni ore and economic contents of Co, the Ni(Co) laterite deposits host critical metals or high-tech elements that are increasingly demanded by many industries. These deposits are becoming worth targets for Sc, REE, and PGE [94,[113][114][115][116][117]. Recent studies have shown that Ni(Co) laterite deposits from the Caribbean, Balkan, and Pacific regions are enriched in critical metals (e.g., REE, PGE, and Sc) that could be economically extractable [94,[116][117][118].…”

Section: Research Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ni(Co) Laterite Deposits of Southeast Asia: A Review and Perspective

Soh Tamehe,

Zhao,

et al. 2024

Minerals

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Southeast Asia has great potential for mineral exploration, and this region is well-known to host huge economic ore deposits located in complex tectonic terranes. Amongst these ore deposits, the Ni(Co) laterite deposits are mainly distributed in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar. There are two main types of Ni(Co) laterite deposits consisting of hydrous Mg silicate (or garnierite) and oxide ores, with limited development of clay silicate type. These deposits are influenced and controlled by the lithology of ultramafic bedrock, topography, climate, weathering, structures, and tectonic environment. The degree of bedrock serpentinization has an important influence on the grade of Ni laterite ore. Given the growing demand of modern society for Ni(Co) ore resources, deep research should be focused on a better understanding of the genesis of this laterite deposit and geological features of Ni(Co) ore, as well as its exploration applications in southeastern Asia. Improving current research and exploration methods by means of cutting-edge technologies can enhance the understanding of the Ni(Co) enrichment mechanism in weathered laterite and lead to the discovery of new deposits in Southeast Asia. Ni(Co) laterite deposits from this region, especially Indonesia and the Philippines, have the potential to be a source of scandium, rare earth elements, and platinum group elements.

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Near real-time management of spectral interferences with portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometers: application to Sc quantification in nickeliferous laterite ores

Cited by 7 publications

References 49 publications

Evaluation of Sc Concentrations in Ni-Co Laterites Using Al as a Geochemical Proxy

Evaluation of Sc Concentrations in Ni-Co Laterites Using Al as a Geochemical Proxy

Evaluating the Portable X-ray Fluorescence Reliability for Metal(loid)s Detection and Soil Contamination Status

Ni(Co) Laterite Deposits of Southeast Asia: A Review and Perspective

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