Exploring Rare Earth Elements

Demand for Rare Earth Elements (REE) continues to increase as the globe migrates to renewable energy. Exploration for REE have significantly increased over the last 18 months to meet this increasing demand. In order to match this demand for REE exploration, Portable Spectral Services (PSS) has developed a REE Index for use on portable-XRF instruments, providing […]
Customise your Portable XRF Analysis

A custom calibration looks holistically at the material of each sample and how the elements interact with each other. Custom calibrations are created using proprietary software that calculates results by incorporating spectral overlaps, escape peaks and sample matrix effects to provide robust sample interpretation. Further, custom calibrations enable additional elements to be included with enhanced […]
About Automated Mineralogy

Automated mineralogy is a field that has seen significant growth and development in recent years. At its core, automated mineralogy involves the use of specialized instruments and software to analyse and identify minerals within a sample, often with a focus on ore deposits and other minerals of economic interest. One key tool in the field […]
What Makes Uranium Glass? | Micro-XRF

To delve into a deeper understanding of uranium glass, such as its elemental makeup, micro-XRF is the perfect technique for measurement. Providing visualisation at a high-spatial resolution up to 4µm, combined with its output data, the micro-XRF conducts in-depth non-destructive elemental analysis. Background As antiques go, uranium glass is one of the most unique […]
Micro-XRF – An analysis of Microelectronics

Currently there is a global shortage of semiconductors due to the COVID-19 pandemic crippling the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Chip shortages are expected to run well into 2023, meaning some industries will be opting for repair options over delayed replacement of printed circuit boards (PCBs). PCBs pose two major hurdles when it comes to repair. Firstly, […]
Enhancing Geochemical Visualization in Exploration: Part 2

Part 1 One of the fastest ways for humans to store information in their long-term memory is to pair concepts with meaningful images. Visual learning has been found to have cognitive effects which stimulate imagination, therefore, enabling users to process the information faster. Neuroscientists from MIT (1) have found that the human brain can process […]
Enhancing Geochemical Visualization in Exploration: Part 1

Geochemical visualization of identified chemical trends is challenging during exploration when data is limited. While geochemical assay datasets are highly valuable, the use of visual tools can often simplify the ability to identify and track chemical and mineralogical trends and display the key characteristics of an exploration target to a wider audience. To quote American […]
Heavy Mineral Concentrates for mineral exploration

Download our HMC Brochure Australia is the home to the world’s largest heavy mineral deposits containing titanium, zircon, and rare earth elements as well as heavy mineral concentrates (HMC) extracted from surficial sediments in alluvial, fluvial, glacial and wind environments. Early-stage exploration and processing of heavy minerals utilises techniques such as gravity and magnetic separation […]
What is your money really worth? | Micro-XRF

Over the course of Australian history the coins used in circulation have changed multiple times from hole-punched Spanish coins to Dutch guilders, English pennies and now the Australian Dollar. One of the issues we have faced during these transitions is when the material value of the coin outweighs its value as a currency. What is […]
Delivering Christmas joy with the micro-XRF

Portable Spectral Services (PSS) are getting into the Christmas spirit as we scan a pair of vintage Australian postage stamps dated from 1973 using micro-XRF. Figure 1. 1973 Australian Christmas stamps, designed by George Hamori. a) The baptism of Christ with the words “This is My Beloved Son”, b) The Good Shepherd with the words […]
Light elements: Significant Improvement in analytical response using the M4 TORNADO PLUS

The M4 TORNADO PLUS is the newest, most advanced micro-XRF spectrometer manufactured by Bruker. One remarkable feature of this new spectrometer is the ability to extend measurements down to detect carbon (Z=6) which improves the response of all light elements including F, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P and S along with elements such as Ti. […]
Application of Spectral Instruments in Exploration, Discovery and Development of Mineral Deposits: A case history

The application of portable Raman spectroscopy (pRaman), portable XRF (pXRF), and micro-XRF (µXRF) proved invaluable during the exploration, delineation and development of the Sinclair Caesium Mine, Western Australia. This article provides an insight into the application of combined spectral technologies in the exploration for, and development of mineral deposits. An algorithm to estimate the lithium […]