Geochemistry

Assaying

We provide both qualitative and quantitative analyses of metals, alloys, metallurgic products (heads and concentrates) and non-processed geological material (ore). Assays are usually performed at clients' request when higher concentrations of metals in samples are known or suspected. Spectrographic techniques such as electron microprobe (EMPA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) generally provide lower detection limits than assays. All of our assays are traceable to international reference standards. Metallurgical products are handled separately to prevent contamination in the laboratory and are subject to a separate pricing schedule.

Elemental geochemistry

Our analytical package provides quick and precise quantitative determination of the 100-odd elements that form the primary building blocks of rocks, minerals, soils, organic and inorganic fluids of the Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. Monitoring key chemical fluxes, both modern and ancient, at increasingly lower concentrations is routinely applied to mineral and oil exploration programs, geosciences research and various environmental projects. Results of multi-element analyses help characterize lithological and stratigraphic domains, classify rock types, identify aquifers, facilitate mining site remediation and control air quality. We offer a palette of analytical services that are tailored for macro-and microscopic samples.

• Whole-rock major and minor element chemistry.
• Whole-rock trace element chemistry.
• In situ geochemistry of mineral phases, melt and fluid inclusions.
• Soil gas hydrocarbons (SGH) geochemistry for delineating mineral targets.
• Biogeochemistry (CHNS analyses) of rocks, drill cores, panning concentrates, soils, sediments and vegetation.
• Separation and analysis of heavy mineral concentrates (mineral indicator geochemistry).

Mineral and oxide identification

Powder X-ray diffraction is one of the most powerful techniques for the identification of minerals in geological and industrial samples and the technique of choice for:

• Spectroscopic whole-rock mineral identification.
• Clay speciation.
• Identification of crystalline polymorphs.

Determination of the valence state of iron, tin and antimony and identification of their oxides in geological samples, as well as redox ratios in glasses (Fe³⁺/Fe total) is performed by means of either Mössbauer spectroscopy on powdered samples or by wet chemistry titration (colorimetery).

Isotope geochemistry

Radiogenic isotopic tracers (Pb, Nd, Hf, Sr, and U) can be used to provide information regarding geologic processes such as magma evolution as well as information regarding sources of magmas and sediments, sources of metals (anthropogenic or natural) in various ecosystems and baseline data for environmentally pristine ecosystems. Services offered by GeoTarget Solutions Inc. include, but are not limited to:

• Tracing magma pulses in layered ultra-mafic intrusions, porphyry Cu, FeO-Cu-Au, Cu-Au-Mo and orogenic Au-Ag deposits.
• Understanding the genesis and metal budgets of ore systems through stable isotope fingerprinting of hydrothermal fluids and host rocks (dD, d¹⁸O, d¹³C, and d³⁴S).
• Identifying sources and sinks of anthropogenic pollution such as Pb and Cd.
• Using stable isotope hydrologic problems as natural tracers of flow path and as indicators of mixing of waters from discrete aquifers.
• Quantifying rock-water ratios of mineralized systems and their temperatures by oxygen and sulfur isotope systematics.
• Aiding post-mining site rehabilitation by stable and radionuclide isotopic surveys of watersheds affected by acid-mine drainage (AMD).