Sample Preparation and Analysis

To advance Australia’s leadership in providing ‘predictive’ capability for unearthing critical mineral resources in known ore bodies, and new mineral discoveries we need to improve our understanding of the distribution of critical minerals in selected mineral systems.

To achieve this inorganic geochemistry data is required.

The work will require whole rock analysis, by XRF for major elements and ICP-MS analysis or equivalent methods for total contents.

Supplied input?
Up to 150 zinc ore deposit samples (provided as rock core)

Deliverables?
The Supplier will carry out sample preparation and inorganic major and trace analyses and reporting on up to 150 zinc ore deposit samples.

Essential analytical services will include:

· Elemental analysis of 62 elements (including at least 11 major elements as oxides and 51 trace elements, including rare earth elements) by XRF and total digestion ICP-MS or equivalent methodologies.

· The major elements, reported as oxide percent by weight percent, include: SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O, MgO, MnO, Na2O, P2O5, SO3, TiO2. The desired trace elements, including rare earth elements, reported as parts per million are: Ag, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, In, La, Lu, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Re, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, Zr. The precision error for the major element data and trace element data should be better than 15%. If particular trace elements cannot be analysed this should be specified in the response to the tender.

· C, S – by Infrared, e.g., Carbon Sulphur analyser.

· LOI – by gravimetry or similar methods.

· FeO – by titration or similar methods.

· F by appropriate technique.

· Strong preference for low detection limits for Ga, Ge, In.

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

· Data to be supplied with each batch of samples.

· Any leftover sample material to must be returned Geoscience Australia.

· Provide details of analytical equipment, techniques and detection limits that will be used in the Response to ATM (e.g. XRF, ICPMS).

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