Development of a new near infrared (NIR) tool for quantifying coffinite (USiO4) in a moderately complex uranium ore analogue

William L. Andrews; James Tardio; Suresh K. Bhargava; Andy Wilde; Alexander Otto; Mark I. Pownceby

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.09.003

Development of a new near infrared (NIR) tool for quantifying coffinite (USiO4) in a moderately complex uranium ore analogue

William L. Andrews, James Tardio, Suresh K. Bhargava, Andy Wilde, Alexander Otto, Mark I. Pownceby

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The uranium ore mineral coffinite (USiO(4)mH(2)O) has previously been characterized using infrared spectral techniques however the spectral behavior of coffinite in relation to concentration and commo2nly associated mineral assemblages is poorly understood. This study addresses some uncertainties by quantifying the coffinite content in a series of 18 artificial mineral mixtures using near infrared (NIR). In the process, a limit of detection for coffinite was determined to be similar to 0.15 wt% (similar to 0.1% U3O8), with limits of quantification restricted by mixture composition and instrument capability. Methods defined in this study were applied to a metasomatic albitite uranium ore deposit where the presence of coffinite detected via NIR was validated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	80-93
Number of pages	14
Journal	Journal of Geochemical Exploration
Volume	182
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.09.003
Publication status	Published - Nov 2017
Externally published	Yes

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10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.09.003

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@article{6936b9495b694e62a03bf5532212fe65,

title = "Development of a new near infrared (NIR) tool for quantifying coffinite (USiO4) in a moderately complex uranium ore analogue",

abstract = "The uranium ore mineral coffinite (USiO(4)mH(2)O) has previously been characterized using infrared spectral techniques however the spectral behavior of coffinite in relation to concentration and commo2nly associated mineral assemblages is poorly understood. This study addresses some uncertainties by quantifying the coffinite content in a series of 18 artificial mineral mixtures using near infrared (NIR). In the process, a limit of detection for coffinite was determined to be similar to 0.15 wt% (similar to 0.1% U3O8), with limits of quantification restricted by mixture composition and instrument capability. Methods defined in this study were applied to a metasomatic albitite uranium ore deposit where the presence of coffinite detected via NIR was validated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.",

keywords = "THORITE MINERAL GROUP, REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY, METASOMATIZED GRANITE, SOLID-SOLUTIONS, DEPOSIT, ZIRCON, AUSTRALIA, EXPLORATION, SPECTRA, URANOTHORITE",

author = "Andrews, {William L.} and James Tardio and Bhargava, {Suresh K.} and Andy Wilde and Alexander Otto and Pownceby, {Mark I.}",

year = "2017",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.09.003",

language = "English",

volume = "182",

pages = "80--93",

journal = "Journal of Geochemical Exploration",

issn = "0375-6742",

publisher = "Pergamon",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Development of a new near infrared (NIR) tool for quantifying coffinite (USiO4) in a moderately complex uranium ore analogue

AU - Andrews, William L.

AU - Tardio, James

AU - Bhargava, Suresh K.

AU - Wilde, Andy

AU - Otto, Alexander

AU - Pownceby, Mark I.

PY - 2017/11

Y1 - 2017/11

N2 - The uranium ore mineral coffinite (USiO(4)mH(2)O) has previously been characterized using infrared spectral techniques however the spectral behavior of coffinite in relation to concentration and commo2nly associated mineral assemblages is poorly understood. This study addresses some uncertainties by quantifying the coffinite content in a series of 18 artificial mineral mixtures using near infrared (NIR). In the process, a limit of detection for coffinite was determined to be similar to 0.15 wt% (similar to 0.1% U3O8), with limits of quantification restricted by mixture composition and instrument capability. Methods defined in this study were applied to a metasomatic albitite uranium ore deposit where the presence of coffinite detected via NIR was validated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.

AB - The uranium ore mineral coffinite (USiO(4)mH(2)O) has previously been characterized using infrared spectral techniques however the spectral behavior of coffinite in relation to concentration and commo2nly associated mineral assemblages is poorly understood. This study addresses some uncertainties by quantifying the coffinite content in a series of 18 artificial mineral mixtures using near infrared (NIR). In the process, a limit of detection for coffinite was determined to be similar to 0.15 wt% (similar to 0.1% U3O8), with limits of quantification restricted by mixture composition and instrument capability. Methods defined in this study were applied to a metasomatic albitite uranium ore deposit where the presence of coffinite detected via NIR was validated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.

KW - THORITE MINERAL GROUP

KW - REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY

KW - METASOMATIZED GRANITE

KW - SOLID-SOLUTIONS

KW - DEPOSIT

KW - ZIRCON

KW - AUSTRALIA

KW - EXPLORATION

KW - SPECTRA

KW - URANOTHORITE

U2 - 10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.09.003

DO - 10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.09.003

M3 - Article

SN - 0375-6742

VL - 182

SP - 80

EP - 93

JO - Journal of Geochemical Exploration

JF - Journal of Geochemical Exploration

ER -

Development of a new near infrared (NIR) tool for quantifying coffinite (USiO4) in a moderately complex uranium ore analogue

Abstract

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