APPLICATIONS OF PROTON AND NUCLEAR MICROPROBES IN ORE DEPOSIT MINERALOGY AND METALLURGY

The micro-PIXE technique usefully complements the analytical capabilities of the electron microprobe in many investigations of ore deposit mineralogy and metallurgy. Unfortunately, micro-PIXE has not been widely used, largely because of a paucity of accessible proton/nuclear microprobes designed with sample- and data-handling facilities suitable for mineralogical targets. Ore deposit mineralogy studies are performed to achieve a wide range of objectives: from the identification of parameters useful for mineral exploration through an understanding of the genesis of ore deposits to a complete characterization of the minerals, necessary to provide guidance for mineral beneficiation and metal extraction. The specific requirements for an ideal proton microprobe for mineral analyses are discussed. In addition, new analyitcal data are presented for sulfide minerals (troilite and entlandite), an oxide mineral (chromite), and for copper anodes.