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Determination of carbonate vein chemistry using portable X-ray fluorescence and its application to mineral exploration
Citation
Andrew, BS and Barker, SLL, Determination of carbonate vein chemistry using portable X-ray fluorescence and its application to mineral exploration, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 18 pp. 85-93. ISSN 1467-7873 (2017) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2018 The Author(s).
DOI: doi:10.1144/geochem2016-011
Abstract
The composition of carbonate minerals infilling hydrothermal veins can vary as a function of factors including fluid chemistry, temperature and pressure. If effectively quantified, carbonate vein chemistry can represent an important tool in mineral exploration. We present a method for determining carbonate vein chemistry using portable X-ray fluorescence analysis (pXRF) utilising matrix matched certified reference materials (CRMs) to assess pXRF analyser performance, before establishing strict QA/QC procedures, along with linear calibration equations for Mg, S, Mn, Fe, Zn, Sr and Pb. However, low concentrations of mineralization-related elements in commercially available CRMs meant raw S, Zn and Pb concentrations determined for case study samples could not be reliably corrected. Our new workflow was then applied to carbonate vein samples collected from Mount Isa, Northwest Queensland, Australia. Though complexity of this system limited the interpretation of results, the case study showed that pXRF can also be used to identify veins with multiple generations of carbonate infill. Portable X-ray fluorescence analyses, used in conjunction with robust QA/QC processes is a powerful tool that can quickly and cost-effectively inform decisions during exploration programs.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | carbonate, X-ray fluorescence, copper, portable XRF, carbonate vein, Mount Isa, exploration targeting |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Geochemistry |
Research Field: | Exploration geochemistry |
Objective Division: | Mineral Resources (Excl. Energy Resources) |
Objective Group: | Mineral exploration |
Objective Field: | Mineral exploration not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Barker, SLL (Dr Shaun Barker) |
ID Code: | 130381 |
Year Published: | 2017 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 11 |
Deposited By: | CODES ARC |
Deposited On: | 2019-01-23 |
Last Modified: | 2019-03-28 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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