Figure . Comparison of copper and yttrium concentrations measured by laboratory analysis (Lab) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Both axes are on a logarithmic scale. The solid black line represents the 1:1 line, indicating 1:1 agreement between methods
×Figure . Comparison of copper and yttrium concentrations measured by laboratory analysis (Lab) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Both axes are on a logarithmic scale. The solid black line represents the 1:1 line, indicating 1:1 agreement between methods
Figure . Comparison of molybdenum concentrations measured by laboratory analysis (Lab) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Both axes are on a logarithmic scale. The solid black line represents the 1:1 line, indicating 1:1 agreement between methods.
×Figure . Comparison of molybdenum concentrations measured by laboratory analysis (Lab) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Both axes are on a logarithmic scale. The solid black line represents the 1:1 line, indicating 1:1 agreement between methods.
Abstract
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is a non-destructive method used to measure the chemical composition of materials by directing X-rays of a specific energy at a sample. This interaction causes the atoms in the material to emit fluorescent X-rays at energies that are characteristic of the elements present. Portable or handheld X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) instruments can save time and provide in situ chemical analyses, for the selection of the most appropriate samples for a broader study. This study evaluates the accuracy of PXRF for elemental analysis by correlating its results with laboratory chemical data. This comparison will determine if PXRF can reliably reduce the need for costly and time-consuming lab analyses to identify associated minerals and enhance the efficiency of future assessments in the field. Using a dataset of diverse samples, the correlation between PXRF and laboratory chemical data is examined for major and trace elements. Samples are Certified Reference Material (CRM), powder samples from Chino and Tyrone deposits, and hand sample slabs from Black Hawk district. CRM samples are prepared by OREAS and used for PXRF analytical validation, quality control and calibration testing. The Chino and Tyrone samples are powdered, unmineralized host rocks from these two porphyry copper deposits. Slab samples are from the Black Hawk district, which are arsenide five-element veins deposits. These vein deposits are Ag-Co-Ni-Bi-As-bearing carbonate veins with local concentrations of uranium, copper, lead, zinc, antimony, mercury and others. The PXRF results for copper (Cu), yttrium (Y), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) correlate well compared to the laboratory results, whereas niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) do not correlate well and these results should not be used. Correlation of PXRF with laboratory chemical data suggests that while PXRF results are useful for identifying general trends, they may be less precise than the lab data.
pp. 65-66
2025 New Mexico Geological Society Annual Spring Meeting
April 25, 2025, Macey Center, Socorro, NM
Online ISSN: 2834-5800
