Prospecting for large economic deposits of precious metals is time consuming and expensive, especially when employing traditional geologic survey techniques. Feasibility studies commonly involve blind sample collection and the risk of drilling too much or not enough, as well as the time involved in processing samples in a laboratory using elemental and mineralogical analysis. Additionally, the number of samples analyzed is often limited by the expense associated with traditional analysis. Combine these limitations and risks with the narrow seasonal window for field work, and the process of fine tuning an exploration program is daunting.

When you need to map alteration zones associated with epithermal gold, silver, copper, lead, or zinc deposits, NIR based analysis is the ideal tool for analyzing the characteristics of alteration minerals indicative of high sulfidation environments. These include hydrated silica phases, alunite, kaolinite, and pyrophyllite. Also easily identified by NIR spectroscopy, quartz, adularia, calcite, sericite, illite and carbonates are indicative of low sulfidation environments. Since many of these hydrothermal minerals are stable over limited temperature and pH ranges, their distribution allows for reconstruction of the thermal and geochemical environment at the time of the thermal event, which can be a strong indicator of a gold or silver deposit. Use of spectroscopic techniques has proven to be very effective in analyzing the mineralogy of these systems.

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a consistent, cost-effective alternative technology solution that has been used worldwide for many years in the analysis of natural resources. As a rapid and reliable analytical technique it has proven to be the ideal tool for geologists and researchers in earth studies and environmental sciences.

• Lower risks
• Save time
• Save money

ASD developed the rugged, field-portable TerraSpec^® 4 Hi-Res, a research-grade mineral analyzer specifically for rapidly identifying and characterizing minerals in the field. The power to analyze samples on-site, in real-time, as the drilling occurs, greatly increases the quantity and quality of exploration possible in a single field season. The system can be used to develop a wide range of models for analyzing many sample types, including outcrops, hand specimens, core, RC drill chips, and metallurgical pulps—all with little or no sample preparation. Real-time, cost-effective analysis allows for more sampling, providing a higher degree of confidence in the interpretation of data, and more informed decision making.

• Real-time results
• In situ measurements
• Little or no sample preparation required