Rapid laboratory analysis by neutron activation: experience in bauxite exploration |
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| Authors: | G De Weisse U Mannweiler L Rybach |
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| Institution: | 1. Schweizerische Aluminium AG (ALUSUISSE), CH-8008 Zürich, CH-8212 Neuhausen Switzerland;2. Institut für Geophysik, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, CH-8093 Zürich Switzerland |
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| Abstract: | The efficiency of neutron activation as an analytical technique has been evaluated for exploration of lateritic and karstic bauxites in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Australia (Gove), Philippines and Jamaica. The 10-g bauxite samples are prepared in the field and sent to a central laboratory. With the “Automatic Bauxite Analyzer” — equipped with an isotopic neutron source — a single Al and Si determination can be made in 5 minutes. For calibration, standards are required which are similar in composition to the samples to be analyzed. Using sample pairs and averaging the results of three subsequent determinations an accuracy of ±2% Al2 O3 and about ±0.6% SiO2 can be obtained. Time requirements, accuracy and cost of this technique are compared with wet chemistry and X-ray fluorescence. For an exploration programme incorporating for example 15,000 drill core samples, a 50% reduction in expenditure for analytic determinations can be achieved by applying neutron activation instead of X-ray fluorescence alone. |
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