Energy minerals analysis

Uranium

The different geological settings of uranium mineralisation have significantly variable amenability to acid dissolution. Magmatic high temperature systems often contain uranium concentrations in rare and resistate minerals such as uraninite, monazite, fluorite, sphene, xenotime, zircon, or apatite. Associated elements and trace elements may include K, Th, Rb, Cs, and the REEs. Placer and conglomerate-hosted uranium deposits are also characterised by resistate minerals and gold. Breccia pipes and roll-front REDOX style mineralisation most often contain uranium as soluble primary and secondary oxide minerals. Uranium in these deposits is often associated with elevated levels of Se and V, having been precipitated from oxidised groundwater by reducing agents such as pyrite, H₂S and organics or in association with Fe-oxides. To support uranium analysis methods, a range of uranium specific CRMs are used routinely for superior quality control.

Handling of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) samples

ALS is qualified and experienced in handling NORM samples, particularly in areas with active uranium exploration and mining industries. Furthermore, added laboratory certification exists in certain jurisdictions

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Lithium

Lithium is concentrated by magmatic fractional crystallisation and partial melting, which results in higher concentrations in some pegmatites and muscovite-bearing granites. During rock weathering, lithium in several mineral hosts can be taken into solution and transported with water. Locations where water is trapped inland under arid conditions concentrate the lithium into residual brines. These concentration mechanisms have formed the two main commercial Li deposit types; pegmatites and continental lithium brines in closed basins. Other sources of viable lithium resources include geothermal brines, oilfield brines, and clay minerals such as hectorite and jadarite.

Lithium method range

ALS offers a range of methods that are suitable for all matrix types and at all stages of a project, from exploration to resource definition and grade control. For assistance choosing the correct analytical method for your requirements please contact your local client services team at ALS. When submitting your samples please indicate that the commodity target is lithium, particularly when selecting multi-element packages. This allows ALS to insert lithium-specific Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for the highest quality results and laboratory performance monitoring.

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Rare Earth Elements

The Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are the 15 lanthanides of the periodic table of elements, but often scandium and yttrium are included in the definition due to their similar chemical behaviour. The importance of this group of elements has grown in recent years due to their demand across diverse sectors such as electronics, renewable energy, and automotive industries. These critical minerals have become essential components in modern devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles, driving intensive exploration and extraction efforts globally.

Ammonium Bi Fluoride Decomposition

Minerals containing rare earth elements are typically very resistant to acid attacks, which historically required fusion-based methods for complete recovery. ALS has developed a chemical decomposition technique using ammonium bifluoride (ABF) to achieve near-total recoveries, coupled with proprietary ICP-MS technology enables detection limits unachievable with traditional flux-based methods for analysing super trace levels of rare earth elements and refractory minerals.

Fusion Decomposition

For projects that require higher grade analysis, fusion decomposition methods are appropriate for determining rare earth element compositions. Fusions break down all minerals at high temperatures and multiple instrument analysis options are available including ICP-OES, ICP-MS and XRF. Depending on instrument choice, a range of detection limits for rare earth elements are available from trace levels for exploration sampling through to ore-grade analysis.

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Industrial Minerals

The definition of industrial minerals generally excludes metallic minerals, fuels, and gemstones. However, there are some metallic minerals such as magnesite and ilmenite/rutile, which are still considered in the industrial mineral grouping. The use of industrial minerals is varied and extensive, and includes application in batteries, fertilisers, and steel production.

Extensive range of methods

ALS offers methods suitable for a range of industrial minerals including, but not limited to, graphite, bauxite, rare earth elements, magnesite, ilmenite/rutile, limestone/dolomite, clays, potash, lithium, boron, phosphates, zircon, talc, soda ash, fluorspar, silica, and feldspar. Some of the more commonly analysed materials, such as bauxite and lithium, are described in more detail in other sections of this webpage. For industrial minerals the optimal choice of analytical method will depend on several factors; resistivity of the minerals to decomposition and analysis, the expected concentration of the elements of interest, and any requirement to know the concentration of other elements that may be considered deleterious.

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