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Elemental Analysis of Uraniferous Rocks and Ores by X-Ray Spectrometry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

Gerard W. James*
Affiliation:
Kansas Geological Survey, Lawrence, Kansas 66044
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Extract

Large-scale uranium exploration programs and industrial mine development require rapid and accurate analytical determinations of uranium and associated elements, at concentration levels ranging from a few parts-per-million to the per-cent range. The analytical requirements for associated suites of elements vary with application, but quality control and production practices in U.S. uranium mines and mills commonly require determinations of calcium, iron, copper, molybdenum, and vanadium, in addition to uranium. Previous work has demonstrated the capabilities of wavelength-dispersive x-ray spectrometric methods for many exploration applications. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the accuracy of x-ray determinations of uranium at ore-grade levels, utilizing both wavelength-dispersive and energy-dispersive spectrometers, and to discuss the acquistion of multi-element data.

Type
XRF Applications in the Minerals Industry
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1979

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References

1. Merritt, R.C., “The Extractive Metallurgy of Uranium,” Colorado School of Mines Research Institute, Golden (1971).Google Scholar
2. James, G.W. and Hathaway, L.R., Recent Advances in Analytical Methods for Determining Uranium in Natural Waters and Geological Samples, in: “Exploration for Uranium Ore Deposits,” International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (1974).Google Scholar
3. James, G.W., Parts-per-Million Determinations of Uranium and Thorium in Geologic Samples by X-ray Spectrometry, Anal. Chem. 49:967 (1977).Google Scholar