Core Scanning for Mineral Exploration

Non-destructive elemental and mineral logging of core provides objective high-resolution analytical data to identify sweet spots, mineralization, and alteration. Bruker portable and handheld analyzers are used to collect depth-registered geochemical and mineralogic data in the field or the core shack. The high-resolution nature of this data means that even small prospective zones of mineralization or alteration can be identified without dilution, improving distal identification of ore systems. Field collection of data provides near-instantaneous geochemistry that can be used for:

• Objective and quick identification of minerals and mineral associations
• Identifying trends in primary target and indicator elements
• 根据矿化或改变来描述目标区域
• Geochemical referencing of core improving correlation to other holes
• 实时指导钻井程序，优化钻孔放置并减少查找和完全表征沉积物所需的孔数量
• High-resolution preliminary grade identification, reducing the number of barren of samples sent to the assay lab
  

核心中主要，次要元素和微量元素的空间分布的可视化源是对矿化和改变过程的理解。Micro-XRF在小于<20µm的分辨率下提供大样本地球化学映射，可以在地质过程框架内进行情境化特征。自动化矿物学在微型XRF中添加是一个新兴领域，有望增加快速和可重复的岩石学表征的新维度。用于核心分析布鲁克的M4 TORNADOseries of instruments can be set for rapid data collection on-site or in the core shack:

• Rapid-scanning of sample material of minimally prepared surfaces, no need for sample coating or polishing
• Enables a data-based approach to selecting sampling locations for methods requiring more costly sample preparation
• Quick-look assessment of mineralization and alteration to constrain ongoing near-real time iteration of conceptual exploration models
• Provide “ground truth” and complementary data to hyperspectral technology by measuring elemental concentrations at comparable scales

Many mineralization processes leave a record at the micron scale. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization is the most accurate method available to visualize and analyze processes at this scale. Bruker’s automated mineralogy and large area elemental mapping solutions by automatedEDS用反向散射选举（BSE）成像进行X射线映射，在分辨率下至〜1 µm时提供了详细的分析。单击此处以了解有关岩石特征的更多信息，以探索微分析。

Traditional mineral analysis of rocks views a 3D world in 2D. Analysis of thin sections and core slabs in optical microscopes, SEMs and micro-XRF all require extrapolation from a single plane to understand a 3D object. High-resolution 3D X-ray Microscopy studies on core allow for non-destructive observations of the third dimension. Bruker’sSkyscan系列of X-ray microscopes works with other methods to produce detailed information on the shape, size and inter-relationships of geologic features. When combined with automated mineralogy from SEM or micro-XRF the possibility opens to develop fully comprehensive models of ore distribution at the micron-scale, better defining mineralization processes and predict comminution and other processing behaviors.