Le Vaillant, Margaux Barnes, Stephen J. Fisher, Louise Fiorentini, Marco L. Caruso, Stefano Use and calibration of portable X-Ray fluorescence analysers: application to lithogeochemical exploration for komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide deposits <p>Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analysers allow on-site geochemical analysis of rock powders and drill core. The main advantages of pXRF analysis over conventional laboratory analysis are the speed of data collection and the low cost of the analyses, permitting the collection of extensive, spatially representative datasets. However, these factors only become useful if the quality of the data meets the requirements needed for the purposes of the study. Here, we evaluate the possible use of portable XRF to determine element concentrations and ratios used in exploration for komatiite-hosted nickel sulphides. </p> <p>A portable XRF analyser was used to measure a series of chalcophile and lithophile element concentrations (Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, and Zr) of 75 samples from three komatiite units associated with nickel sulphide ores in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. Crucial steps in the study were the development of a strict calibration process as well as numerous data quality checks. The 670 analyses collected in this study were compared with conventional laboratory XRF data on discriminant diagrams commonly utilized in exploration for komatiite-hosted nickel sulphides (Cr vs Ni and Ni/Ti vs Ni/Cr). After comparing the results obtained with pXRF during this study with the laboratory values, we can conclude that portable XRF analyses can be used for rapid assessment of the nickel sulphide prospectivity of komatiites provided that strict control protocols are followed. </p> drill core;representative datasets;discriminant diagrams;laboratory XRF data;geochemical analysis;rock powders;data quality checks;komatiite units;control protocols;75 samples;Yilgarn Craton;nickel sulphide prospectivity;element concentrations;laboratory analysis;Crucial steps;Cr vs Ni;XRF analyses;XRF analyser;data collection;Western Australia;nickel sulphide ores;laboratory values;pXRF analysis;670 analyses;lithogeochemical exploration;calibration process;lithophile element concentrations;Geology 2016-06-21
    https://geolsoc.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Use_and_calibration_of_portable_X-Ray_fluorescence_analysers_application_to_lithogeochemical_exploration_for_komatiite-hosted___nickel_sulphide_deposits/3453602
10.6084/m9.figshare.3453602.v1