| Description |
Pan-concentrate samples were dried at DGGS using a hot plate and glass petri dishes, which were washed after each use to prevent cross-contamination. Dried samples were weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram and then split manually into two equal-sized, homogeneous portions using a Sepor(TM) micro splitter, which was washed after each use. One split was retained by DGGS for mineralogical studies, the other split was submitted to ALS Minerals (formerly ALS Chemex), and underwent the PREP-31 package, where the sample was logged, dried, weighed, and the entire sample was pulverized to a nominal 85% passing 75 microns (-180 mesh). Samples were analyzed for trace elements and rare earth elements using: Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (HF-HNO3-HClO4-HCl digestion), Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectroscopy (Lithium metaborate fusion - HNO3-HCl dissolution), and/or Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (Fire assay - aqua regia digestion). The method used to analyze each element is listed in the detection limits table. For high-grade and mineralized rare earth samples, high sample to volume ratios are utilized in the Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy analysis to improve precision. Certified high grade rare earth reference materials are used as part of the standard protocol. See ALS documentation for a more detailed discussion of the methodology. |