Specific ores & commodities

These methods may be run alone or in sequence to semi-quantitatively identify potential recovery by various ore processing methods. ALS can also provide custom methods based on metallurgical requirements.

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Aqua regia is an effective solvent for copper oxides and sulfides, but copper occurring with other commodities like molybdenum can be analyzed by four acid digestion for consistency across data sets.

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Lithium borate fusion and XRF finish is the industry method of choice for the analysis of oxide iron ores. Single or multi-temperature LOI is available, customizable as required.

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ALS recommends discussion to determine optimum protocol for your particular ore type. Grind curve confirmation tests, laser sizing, cyclosizing and wet screening are also available.

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ALS is qualified and experienced in handling NORM samples in every jurisdiction with active uranium exploration and mining. We’re known internationally for leading the industry in lowest detection limits and innovative solutions.

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Many REEs occur in minerals resistant to acid digestion, so fusion is the preferred method of decomposition. ALS offers ICP-MS/ICP-AES and XRF determinations. These methods are most appropriate for known ores; see the Whole Rock Analysis & Lithogeochemistry section for trace level methods.

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These elements have many high-tech applications in electronics, engineering and pharmaceuticals. They require specialized digestions and instrument methods for precise and accurate measurement.

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This package is designed for potash exploration to report total chemical composition of samples as well as the proportion of analytes that can be leached with water. ME-XRF26k is a fusion-XRF method that reports total content where ME-ICP03k is a water-leach method that reports soluble elements. OA-GRA04k provides the percentage of residue insoluble in water using a gravimetric method.

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Aqua regia is a powerful solvent for sulfides, silver and base metals. This method may be triggered automatically on multi-element geochemistry packages.

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Four acid digestion breaks down most silicates and all but the most resistive minerals. This method may be triggered automatically on multi-element geochemistry packages.

Pricing & codes: Fee Schedule CAD - USD - EUR - AUD (p 38)

Some resistive minerals, particularly those containing Sn, W, Nb or Ta, require a fusion for complete recovery. This method is only suitable for samples with <4% sulfides.

Pricing & codes: Fee Schedule CAD - USD - EUR - AUD (p 38)

Certain ore deposits naturally have extremely high (>30%) base metal content over short intervals. Specialized digestions and classical chemistry methods are required to analyze these samples.

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Lithium hosted in pegmatites and jadarite can occur with economic grades of rare earths and other trace metals such as boron and cesium. A sodium peroxide fusion is required for complete recovery in these deposits.

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More elements may be added to these methods, and they may be packaged with ICP-MS finishes for associated pegmatite-hosted commodities at trace levels.

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In many cases, aqua regia provides better recovery of Li than four acid digestions due to complex chemical reactions. Roasting samples prior to four acid digestions, particularly hectorite, may mitigate this effect.

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ALS analyzes brine samples as received. If the samples require acidification or filtration in the lab, please indicate this prominently on the sample submittal form.

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XRF is the industry-standard analytical method for bauxite analysis. Results are reported on a dry weight (110°C) basis by default. Additional characterization methods such as organic carbon, reactive silica and available alumina comply fully with CETEM performance criteria. Multi-screen sizing to determine the optimum screen size for recovery and subsequent wet beneficiation are also available.

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The elements listed are reported by default, but others are available if they are significant in your deposit. Loss on Ignition (LOI) is an important component of the total analysis.

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The elements listed are reported by default, but others are available if they are significant in your deposit. Loss on Ignition (LOI) is an important component of the total analysis.

Pricing & codes: Fee Schedule CAD - USD - EUR - AUD (p 37)

The elements listed are reported by default, but others are available if they are significant in your deposit. Loss on Ignition (LOI) is an important component of the total analysis.

Pricing & codes: Fee Schedule CAD - USD - EUR - AUD (p 37)

Na₂O₂ fusions are used for sulfides, arsenides, chromite, rutile, ilmenite and titanite. This selection is designed for nickel sulfides, but elements are also available individually.

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Samples are analysed by XRF following a lithium borate fusion with the addition of strong oxidising agents to decompose sulfide-rich ores. Other elements are available to report on request. LOI may be optionally added to this method, but it is not used to normalise results.

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Samples are analyzed by XRF following a lithium borate fusion with the addition of strong oxidizing agents to decompose sulfide concentrates. Other elements are available to report on request. LOI may be optionally added to this method, but it is not used to normalize results.

Pricing & codes: Fee Schedule CAD - USD - EUR - AUD (p 39)

A strong oxidising digestion utilising HNO₃, KClO₃ and HBr with aqua regia is applicable to basemetal ores and particularly suitable for massive sulphides.

Pricing & codes: Fee Schedule CAD - USD - EUR - AUD (p 39)