Resolution of geochemical and lithostratigraphic complexity: a workflow for application of portable X-ray fluorescence to mineral exploration

Abstract

Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) technology can be used to collect large amounts of multi-element data rapidly at relatively low cost and has been widely embraced within the minerals industry. However, to date, it has been difficult to compare data-sets collected by different users or at different times because there is no standardized approach to the collection of these data. The absence of information on standardization and calibration procedures raises concerns about a lack of internal consistency within these data-sets and precludes comparison of different data-sets. This paper seeks to address this issue by developing a workflow for the collection of pXRF data in an exploration or mining setting. Two case studies highlight the robustness and possible applications of pXRF data collected following QA/QC protocols. A good correlation between conventional laboratory analyses and pXRF data is demonstrated through comparison of analysis methods for a drill-hole at the Plutonic Gold Mine, Western Australia, and fine-scale lithostratigraphic variation is recognized in pXRF data collected on grade control pulps from a drill fan at the Agnew Gold Mine, Western Australia. The Agnew data precision is sufficient to distinguish alteration signals from background lithology, and to discern which alteration signals are associated with gold mineralization.