Minerals prospecting

Applications of geological reference samples to mineral prospecting and economic evaluation of ore potential is the only application with a history dating back before the issuance of G-i and W-i in 1951. It is an area in which data quality or lack thereof has serious economic impacts, hence the very early development of certified reference materials mentioned previously. An extensive study of the state of ore analysis was undertaken by the Institute of Geological Sciences (now the British Geological Survey). Nineteen ores and concentrates, of varied matrix, were distributed to 38 laboratories more than 1532 results were received (Lister and Galagher 1970). 

Various mineral prospects and minor metal occurrences are found in the study area, including Pb, Zn and Sn deposits north-east of Broken Hill, Au deposits near Tibooburra and Au, Cu and Pb deposits north of Cobar (Figure 1). 

Abstract in late 2008, soil and stream sediment orientation surveys were carried out to provide optimized field and analytical procedures for use in property and regional-scale exploration programs on MinCore s Tameapa property in Sinaloa Mexico. The property is host to two advanced mineral prospects named Pico Prieto (copper-molybdenum porphyry) and Venado (molybdenum-copper structurally controlled porphyry) that were first explored in detail by Las Cuevas during the 1970s and early 1980s. 

Califomium-252 is an intense neutron source. One gram emits 2.4 x 1012 neutrons per second. This isotope shows promise for applications in neutron activation analysis, neutron radiography, and as a portable source for field use in mineral prospecting and oil well logging. 

Cole (1980) has emphasised that geobotany for mineral prospecting is concerned with the relationships between plants and their environment in undisturbed natural terrain. It is distinct from ecological studies of disturbed contaminated land, for example, old mine workings, where metal concentrations are usually greatly in excess of those found naturally. 

Not only the aerial parts of the plant, but also the roots can be suitable organs for analysing for mineral prospecting (Malyuga, 1964). However care must be taken to ensure that root material is not contaminated by soil. 

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty designates Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science and provides for an indefinite ban on mineral resources exploitation and on mineral prospecting. This ban, and indeed all parts of the Protocol, can be renewed after 50 years from the entry into force of the Protocol at the request of any Consultative Party. 

Colombia gained independence from the Spanish Crown at the beginning of the 19 century. The independent Republic of Columbia was founded and Simon Bolivar was leader in the struggle for liberation. He contacted the traveling scientist Alexander von Humboldfr in order to get his help with the recruitment of a geologist and chemist, who could develop mineral prospecting and metal production in the new country. 

Gaft M, Scorobogatova N, Rassulov V, Moroshkin V (1989) The use of natural silver halogens luminescence for mineral prospecting. Miner J 11 58-64 (in Russian)... 

The principal application of the actinide elements is in the production of nuclear energy. Although this is by far the most important use for any of the actinide elements, a surprising number of other uses have been found. These include the use of short-lived actinide isotopes as portable power supplies for satellites in ionization smoke detectors in the therapy of cancer in neutron radiography in mineral prospecting and oil-well logging as neutron sources in nuclear reactor start-up and as neutron sources in a variety of analytical procedures, the most important of which are neutron activation analysis and heavy-ion desorption mass spectroscopy. 

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