X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of sediment samples

As part of the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub (‘the Hub’), Geoscience Australia is undertaking the “Accelerating Development of Australia's Rare Earth Resources (ADARER)” project. The objective of the project is to accelerate the discovery, extraction and processing of rare earth element (REE) deposits, including clay-hosted REE deposits and heavy mineral sands. To support this, Geoscience Australia is seeking to develop mineralogical understanding at a national-scale through the analysis of two legacy Geoscience Australia sediment sample sets (National Geochemical Survey of Australia; NGSA, and Northern Australia Geochemical Survey; NAGS) for quantitative mineral identification, including clay speciation.

Up to approximately 2,500 sediment samples. All samples will require preparation (detailed below) for X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) analysis, and will be provided as dry, bulk sediment samples in 1 kg plastic tubs (with individual samples between 500 g to 5 kg each).

Deliverables

The Supplier will carry out sample preparation and XRD analysis of up to approximately 2,500 sediment samples. Two options are presented, which are based on the scope of works, these being sample preparation (Option 1) and XRD analysis (Option 2). Suppliers are invited to bid for either or both of these options.

Essential services will include:

· Option 1: Sample preparation of material suitable for XRD analysis:

o Homogenisation of individual samples, riffle splitting, sieving, sub-sampling, milling, and micronizing samples to achieve powdered material suitable for XRD.

· Option 2: XRD analysis for all samples, including:

o Qualitative mineral identification of the bulk samples (i.e., ‘major’ minerals).

o Qualitative clay mineral identification of the clay-size fraction (noting clay separation will need to be performed prior).

o Quantitative analysis of both ‘major’ and clay minerals.

· Mineral identification and quantification.

· Report containing all methods and results of analyses undertaken during this contract.

· Data to be supplied with each batch of samples.

· Return of any leftover sample material to Geoscience Australia.

· Provide details of analytical equipment, techniques and detection limits that will be used in the Response to ATM.

· In cases where data quality issues arise, discussion with the provider will be undertaken to investigate and remediate potential issues in a timely manner. Remediation may involve re-analysis or new off-line processing.

Optional services that may be required include:

· Quoted quick turn-around-time (TAT) service.

· Halloysite content estimation.

· Cation exchange capacity (CEC) analysis (e.g., CEC by methylene blue; CEC by Sr saturation and XRF).

Costing

Please provide cost per sample (for sample preparation and XRD analysis) for the following:

• Up to 500 samples
• Up to 1000 samples
• Up to 1,500 samples
• Up to 2,500 samples