Chemical analysis is performed by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. XRF is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. XRF is widely used in the mining industry and is regarded as the number one analytical technique to determine the chemical composition of limestone and dolomite. Quantitative Analysis of samples using XRF makes use of comparative procedures. Unknown analysis samples are compared with defined samples; the defined samples are the calibration standards. The spectrometer must be calibrated using calibration standards, with known concentrations of specific elements, before any quantitative analysis measurements of unknown samples are performed.
Analytical specimens of limestone and dolomite are prepared for analysis using borate fusion. Fusion creates homogeneous sample specimens, leading to accurate and precise analytical results. Atlantic Minerals Limited uses a 3 burner Claisse M4 Fluxer.
Claisse M4 Fluxer
Atlantic Minerals Limited uses a Thermo Fisher Scientific Advant’X sequential XRF Spectrometer to analyze the specimens created from product sampling. The analysis is performed at the Chemical Laboratory located in Corner Brook. Results are available on a following-day basis. Routine XRF analysis is performed to determine CaO, MgO, SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, K2O and TiO2. Carbon and Sulphur testing is performed periodically by an outside laboratory.
XRF Spectrometer
Atlantic Minerals Limited adheres to the following standards as set out by ASTM:
- ASTM C1271 – Standard Test Method for X-Ray Spectrometric Analysis of Lime and Limestone.