Indicator Minerals, Pathfinder Elements, and Portable Analytical Instruments in Mineral Exploration Studies

Abstract

Until recently, the classic approach to mineral exploration studies was to bring the field samples/drill cores collected during field studies to the laboratory, followed by laborious analysis procedures to generate the analytical data. This is very expensive, time-consuming, and difficult for exploring vast areas. However, rapid technological advances in field-portable analytical instruments, such as portable visible and near-infrared spectrophotometers, gamma-ray spectrometer, pXRF, pXRD, pLIBS, and µRaman spectrometer, have changed this scenario completely and increased their on-site applications in mineral exploration studies. LED fluorimeter is a potential portable tool in the hydrogeochemical prospecting studies of uranium. These instruments are currently providing direct, rapid, on-site, real-time, non-destructive, cost-effective identification, and determination of target elements, indicator minerals and pathfinder elements in rock, ore, soil, sediment, and water samples. These portable analytical instruments are currently helping to obtain accurate chemical and mineralogical information directly in the field with minimal or no sample preparation and providing decision-making support during fieldwork, as well as during drilling operations in several successful mineral exploration programs. In this article, the developments in these portable devices, and their contributions in the platinum group elements (PGE), rare earth elements (REE), gold, base metals, and lithium exploration studies both on land and on the ocean bed, have been summarized with examples.

Application of a differential technique in laser-induced fluorimetry/pulsed LED-fluorimetry: simple and reliable analysis of uranium raw materials in the nuclear fuel cycle – a mini-review

“…With the addition of new fluorescence reagents 42 or probes/sensing materials, 43–45 advancements in the technologies have continued in high performance qualification and portable instrumentation, and have a promising future. 46 Recently, Balaram and Sawant 47 reviewed available portable analytical instruments in mineral exploration studies. With the advent of bright and more stabilized LED lights, a pulsed LED-fluorimeter based on this excitation source has become available from Quantalase Enterprises Pvt.…”

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of some Phosphate Deposits for Possible Rare Earth Elements Mineralization Potentials within Sokoto Basin, Northwestern Nigeria

“…A strong positive correlation between V and Cr in phosphorites associated with Ironstones may indicate affinity of Cr with Fe in the Ironstones and they may be absorbed in the ferruginous Iron-oxide and clayey minerals during phosphatization. Cr's positive relationship with the group of elements like V-Ni and Zn indicates natural affinity typical of organic matter while the positive correlation between Ni and Cu supports marine environment sediments (18,19) . Low Uranium content, similar to reports from Ogun phosphate samples, can be interpreted as deposition in a shallow marine environment in an arid region and the negative correlation of U and V indicate no proper substitution of these elements within the apatite lattice.…”

Potential Future Alternative Resources for Rare Earth Elements: Opportunities and Challenges

“…Although REE comprise significant amounts of a wide range of minerals including oxides, silicates, carbonates, phosphates, and halides, almost all production comes from less than ten minerals such as apatite, monazite, xenotime, allanite, and bastnasite [11]. Currently, these deposits are mainly located in China, Brazil, Vietnam, Russia, and India.…”