Portable XRF Services Overview
Portable XRF Services Overview
OUR PORTABLE
XRF SERVICES
The collection of multielement geochemical data by portable X-ray fluorescence
(pXRF) has become commonplace in the minerals industry.
These instruments are typically precise but not accurate. Often the true value of pXRF
chemical datasets is not realised due to suboptimal workflows and a lack of robust
data handling. When appropriate workflows and protocols for umpire laboratory
data collection are implemented, significant cost savings (up to 80% in some cases)
can be achieved through integration of laboratory and pXRF geochemical datasets.
RSC has the expertise and know-how to provide training, including helping to design
your workflows and data-handling processes. This will ensure that your pXRF data
are as good as possible, collected as inexpensively as possible, and are both reliable
and robust. Each project has its own particular challenges and RSC can work with
you to overcome them.
RSC can also provide pXRF rental instruments for use in the field, either as a stand-
alone rental unit or with a trained and qualified operator. Contact us for a free
demonstration of the utility of these instruments for your exploration and mining
projects.
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INST RU MENT I N S T R UM E N T SPEC I ALI ST
RENTA L + O PE R ATO R ADVI C E
Different models available with Hire trained and qualified Our geochemists have extensive
daily, weekly and monthly options. operators to accompany our experience and can assist with
pXRF instruments. workflow generation through to
data analytics.
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INSTRUMENT
RENTAL
Vanta Hire
Olympus Vanta VMR pXRF model with 50 kV Rh tube. This instrument has soil and geochem
modes and is suitable for all applications from those requiring light-element performance
(Mg, Al, Si) to base metals (Cu, Zn, Pb) and heavier elements like U and Th. Additional niche
modes are available on request (e.g. REE).
Delta Hire
Olympus Delta Premium pXRF model with 50 kV Rh tube. This instrument has soil and geo-
chem modes and is most suitable for analysis of base metals and heavier elements.
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INSTRUMENT
+ OPERATOR
Hire trained and qualified operators to accompany our pXRF instruments.
RSC’s operators are experienced and can easily implement the ideal work-
flow for your specific needs.
RSC takes care of the pXRF calibration, maintenance, transport, insurance,
and health and safety requirements.
Cost-efficient way to collect pXRF data using an experienced and
knowledgable operator on discounted bundled rates.
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SPECIALIST
ADVICE
Our experts are here to help.
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SPECIALIST Soil sampling RC/RAB drilling
Analysis of drill core Geochemical domaining Grade control Inherited historical data
Could pXRF be used to analyse Got geochemical data and trying to Let us help you determine if Our experts can assess your old
your drill core? Ask our specialists. find domains within your deposit pXRF could be used as an assay data and extract some value, or
for resource estimation? We can screening tool in your operation. design a new work program to
help you. leverage the old data.
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SOIL
SAMPLING
Principal components analysis
2 of 14-element geochemical soil
sample dataset, from Marirongoe,
K Mozambique, groupings informed
Pricipal Component 2
1
Rb Zr by Bayesian clustering algorithm.
Eigenvectors (arrows) indicate
Got soil geochemistry? Want to get 0
elements influencing the analysis
Ti
beyond a simple single-element map −1 Cluster
1
Mn
Ca
Fe
Sr
(modified after Sterk et al., 2018).
media?
5
−4 −2 0
Pricipal Component 1
83
coloured by clusters from the
40
5 00
principal components analysis,
showing areas of cohesive
Nor thing
Mapping lithology and targeting
83
Cohesive geological
chemistry, thus mapping variation
4 00
units in orange
00
(cluster 2)
in lithology (modified after Sterk
Objective classification of lithology, alteration or et al., 2018).
83
39
mineralisation from geochemical data.
5
Fractionated Granite with
00
Cluster
Sn-Ta mineralisation
1 Marginal mineralisation is
Examine relationships between multiple elements 2
green (cluster 5)
83
3
39
Thus, exploration targets
0
simultaneously.
00
4
5 are other cluster 5 locations
34
34
34
34
30
40
50
60
00
00
00
00
Easting
apparent with single- or two-element plots.
Groupings can inform lithology mapping, exploration
targeting, and alteration mapping.
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200000
For RAB chips from a deposit in
the Mount Isa Inlier; modified
RC/RAB
after Gazley et al. (2017). Fe and
150000 Zn pXRF vs Fe and Zn laboratory
data.
Fe laboratory (ppm)
DRILLING
100000
50000
for you.
1500
Analysis of drill chips
Zn laboratory (ppm)
With careful generation of protocols you can collect both
1000
robust and reliable multi-element data from the analysis of
RC and RAB chips by pXRF.
Having reliable data available rapidly means that you 500
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DRILL CORE
ANALYSIS
Let us help you determine if pXRF could be
used as an assay screening tool for your
drill core assaying.
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GEOCHEMICAL
Mineralisation Principal components
Mafic Gneiss
Leucogranite analysis of 14-element
Granite
2
Felsic Gneiss geochemical dataset,
groupings informed
Principal Component 2
by Bayesian clustering
DOMAINING
Ba
Sr
Zr
T Cr
0
CaNii
Fe Zn K
Rb
algorithm, coloured
Mn
Y
by dominant lithology,
Cu
from the Tampia Hill
−2 Au deposit, Western
Australia.
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GRADE
CONTROL
Let us help you determine if pXRF could
be used as an assay screening tool in
your operation.
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INHERITED
HISTORICAL
DATA
Let us assess your old data and extract maximum
value, or design a new work program to leverage the
old data.
Have you inherited a historical dataset of pXRF data with limited or no metadata?
Unsure what elements you can trust or if these data are of any use to you?
What value can you extract from these data?
There is almost always some value or knowledge in old data. RSC’s data processing
and validation processes can remove the ‘noise’ and amplify the important signals in
these data.
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VALIDATE
SPECIFIC
Sn Kα2 = 25.044
Sn = 551.6 ± 22.2 ppm Ag Kβ1 = 24.942 Sn Kα1 = 25.271
70
Ag Kβ3 = 24.911
Ag Kβ2 = 25.456
Ag Kα2 = 21.990
Ag Kα1 = 22.163
Sn Kβ3 = 28.444
Sn Kβ1 = 28.486
Sn Kβ2 = 29.109
60
ELEMENTS
50
40
Counts
30
20
generating. Spectra showing Ag and Sn peaks from a pXRF instrument with a Ag tube for a sample
with 552 ppm Sn. Note peak overalps around 25 keV; modified after Sterk et al. (2018).
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WORKFLOW
GENERATION
Ca 3.69 keV Fe 6.41 keV
100%
85%
Transmisson Effectiveness
63%
250 µm Calico
50 µm Paper
4 µm Mylar
Budget-friendly collection of robust and reliable multi-element datasets.
6 µm Polyprop.
8%
4 µm Polyprop.
Generate data collection protocols that must be established for each
0%
0 2 4 6 8 10
geological setting or problem.
Photon Energy (keV)
Ensure sample preparation is optimal to ensure reliable data.
Transmission effectiveness modelling showing how
Ensure that samples are presented for analysis in an appropriate way. many X-rays at different energies pass through different
media. For example, only 63% of the X-rays for Fe pass
Select appropriate standards to ensure robust calibrations can be through a calico bag; i.e. the Fe concentration will only
derived. be 63% what it should be.
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PO RTAB LE 1600
1200
OREAS901 = 1410 ppm
Standard performance for a 6
month soil-sampling campaign
for Cu in four OREAS standards;
modified after Gazley et al.
XRF QA/QC
Cu (ppm)
(2017).
800 OREAS45P = 749 ppm
Cu Laboratory (ppm)
(2017).
concentrations are ‘real’.
200
Establish umpire laboratory protocols to validate pXRF data.
Document processes and determination of limits of quantification. 100
Generate confidence in your data — ensure that your data are y = 1.01x
R² = 0.96
0
reliable and robust. 0 100 200 300 400
Corrected Cu pXRF (ppm)
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GENERATION
OF
PATHFINDERS
If the element you are interested in cannot be
detected by pXRF, proxies based on elements
that can be detected by pXRF may be derived.
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GENERAL ENQUIRIES pXRF ENQUIRIES UAV E N Q U I R I E S
info@[Link] pxrf@[Link] uav@[Link]
S E R V I C E S ON QUOT ATION
Please email us your project requirements. You will find our approach very flexible and accommodating. We aim to make the impossible
possible, at affordable rates, while providing top quality geologists and excellent outcomes. Throw us into a challenging environment, set
us a demanding deadline and let us do the work for you. Ask us for a reference on our services at any time.