A Guide to Portable XRF Geochemistry in Mining

Geochemistry analysis is an incredibly important part of the mining industry. It is relevant to every stage of a mine’s life cycle and needs to be fast and accurate enough to avoid costly delays.

Portable XRF geochemistry analysers are the solution and are making mines more profitable all across Australia. So read on to learn how these incredible devices are applied to mining.

What is XRF?

X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) is a non-invasive method for measuring the elemental composition of materials.

It uses a spectrometer to detect and measure X-Rays emitted by the atoms of a sample that has been irradiated. Depending on the element, the intensity of the fluorescent radiation it emits will change, allowing it to be identified.

What is Portable XRF Geochemistry?

Portable XRF geochemistry uses the same technology as regular XRF, except it’s calibrated to a specific range of elements. For example, geochemistry is most often applied to mining industries, so these portable XRF devices will be calibrated to detect both the desired elements and also commonly occurring contaminants.

How does Portable XRF Geochemistry Work?

To use portable XRF analysers in the field, a small portion of the sample is placed in the analyser’s sample chamber. The instrument then fires X-Rays at the sample. The device will then measure the resulting energy of the emitted radiation. For the final stage, the analyser then processes this information and compiles a composition report.

This gives the operator insight into several things, including:

The composition of the sample
The concentration of the elements they are looking for
The concentration of undesirable elements
The presence of any contaminants

The speed and accuracy of portable XRF geochemistry make testing in the field simple and effective. That’s why it has become one of the most popular and useful analysis methods in the mining industry.

How is Portable XRF Geochemistry Used in Mining?

Portable XRF geochemistry is applicable to all stages of the mining process.

Exploration

The initial phase of mining is either greenfield or brownfield exploration. XRF is especially useful at this stage because surveyors need to be able to take samples in the field and on the move. Because of its rapid results, samples can be taken over multiple days without costly interruptions waiting for lab results.

Resource Estimation

Once exploration has detected the presence of the desired minerals, the site needs to be assessed. Starting a new mine is an enormous financial undertaking so sites need to be rich enough to be worth the investment.

Using portable XRF geochemistry, testing the composition of samples over a wider area will reveal whether the site is worth pursuing.

Ore Processing

While ore is being mined, it is important to know the composition to determine how best to process it. Portable XRF geochemistry is so fast and accurate that mining companies can react quickly if the composition of the ore demands a different process.

Environmental Compliance

Mining companies must abide by strict environmental compliance legislation, especially regarding pollutants and contaminants.

Portable XRF geochemistry is an effective tool for testing soil and water samples to assess the risk of run-off which could risk breaching the rules.

The Ultimate Portable XRF Geochemistry Device

A Guide to Portable XRF Geochemistry in Mining 2

The Niton XL5 Plus Handheld Analyser is the leading XRF device for the mining industry.

It can detect geochemical data for elements and minerals, as well as identifying pure metals and alloys. For mining specifically, mining mode can be utilised to limit the detection range between Mg and U to target certain geochemical materials.

Aside from its impressive detection abilities, the Niton XL5 Plus has additional features that make it incredibly intuitive to use. These include:

Customisable for individual applications
Vivid navigation and custom user profiles
Micro and Macro cameras
Lightweight, ergonomic design
Installed customer database

Solve all your mining analysis needs with one device – the Niton XL5 Plus Handheld Analyser!

Portable Analytical Solutions

Portable Analytical Solutions (PAS) is the leading distributor of Niton devices in Australia.

In particular, the Niton XL5 Plus is incredibly popular. As Australia’s mining industry continues to boom, so does demand for the premier portable XRF geochemical analyser.

If you’d like to purchase or rent your own XL5 Plus, PAS has you covered. Simply get in touch today.

Custom Calibrations

PAS also offers custom calibrations for the XL5 Plus. Make analysis even easier with a calibrated detection range that suits your needs. If you already own an XL5 Plus, we can still calibrate it for you. Contact us if you’d like to discuss your custom calibration options.

Niton™XL2 Precious Metals

Niton™ XL2 Precious Metal Analyser

Thermo Fisher Scientific – XRF

Perform precious metal testing with certainty

With the volatility and high price of gold, failing to detect just a small variation in composition can be an expensive mistake. The Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL2 XRF Precious Metal Analyser provides a fast, accurate, and most importantly, nondestructive method to test the purity and chemistry of all precious metals. The Niton XL2 XRF Precious Metal Analyser quickly detects gold plating and counterfeit gold and gives you the exact elemental composition of jewellery and coins so you can be absolutely certain of the value of the precious metals you buy and sell.

Easier, faster and more accurate than nitric acid test methods.
Faster, more comprehensive analysis than fire assay with comparable accuracy.
Efficiently identify most gold-plated items with Thermo Scientific AuDIT™ gold-plating detection technology.
Precisely determine the presence and concentration of other trace alloying elements and dangerous heavy elements, which could impact valuation and future refining needs.

Key Features Of the Niton XL2

Standard analytical range: >25 elements from S to U (varies by application).
Point and shoot simplicity—very easy to use even by nontechnical personnel.
Ideally suited for retail environments.
Nondestructive analysis with near-instantaneous results.
Ergonomic design.

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about which Thermo Fisher Niton XL2 best suits your application and particular conditions.

Call for expert advice: +612 4381 2844

OR USE OUR HANDY CONTACT FORM:

Niton™ XL2

Niton™ XL2 & XL2 Plus Analysers

Thermo Fisher Scientific – Portable Handheld XRF

Niton™ XL2 Plus Analyser

The Niton XL2 Plus is a tough, powerful, handheld instrument for identifying metal alloys and mineral ores easily in the field.

The XL2 Plus is the latest in the XL2 product range of Portable X-Ray fluorescence analysers (PXRF). There are two models: XL2 980 Plus is calibrated for metals, and XL2 950 Plus for mining.

The XL2 Plus can identify Niobium in Titanium alloys down to 200 ppm and more generally, elements from Magnesium to Uranium, down to 20 ppm in some common alloys.

Key Applications for the Niton XL2 Plus

General Metal / Ore / Lead Contamination / RoHS / Alloy / Mine Management / Scrap Recycling / Waste / Hazmat

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about which Thermo Fisher Niton XL2 best suits your application and particular conditions.

Features & Benefits:

IP Certified (Splash/ Dust Proof)
Detector ProGuard Protection
2W X-Ray Tube
Silicon Drift Detector
Micro Camera
Hot Swap Battery
Touch Screen and Directional Keys
Password Protected Security
Nose Cone Alignment Guides

Niton™ XL2 Analyser

Get fast, accurate analysis for manufacturing quality assurance with the Niton XL2 Analyser.

With four models in the range, the XL2 Portable XRF Analyser provides immediate, nondestructive elemental analysis for a wide range of applications including scrap metal identification, mining and exploration, and lead screening for consumer and electronic goods.

It can detect alloy materials from titanium to nickel as well as tramp and trace element analysis. The XL2’s standard analytical range spans up to 30 elements from sulphur to uranium.

Lightweight, rugged handheld Niton Portable XL2 Analysers is built for the harsh conditions it will face:

Sealed against moisture and dust.
Ergonomically designed.
Daylight-readable icons on colour, touch-screen display.

Key Applications for the Niton XL2

General Metal / Gold / Ore / Lead Contamination / RoHS / Alloy / Mine Management / Waste / Hazmat

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about which Thermo Fisher Niton XL2 best suits your application and particular conditions.

Differences Between The Niton™ XL2 and Niton™ XL2 Plus

Whilst the Niton XL2 and the Niton XL2 Plus portable XRF units are similar, both units are suited to different applications. Due to a difference in analytical source between the units, the elemental range that can be detected is different. The XL2 Plus also features additional benefits like a swappable battery.

Niton™ XL2

Analytical source: 2W X-Ray Tube, and SI-PIN detector

Elemental Range: Ti-Bi

Features: Fixed Angle touchscreen display, micro camera, bluetooth

Niton™ XL2 Plus

Analytical source: 2W X-Ray Tube, and Silicon Drift Detector (SDD)

Elemental Range: Mg-U

Features: Fixed Angle touchscreen display, micro camera, Bluetooth, swappable battery, IP54 rating for water and dust resistance, detector protection.

Sample Preparation – XRF

Sample Preparation – Bench Top XRF

Fluxana XRF Analyser

Fluxana delivers all types of accessories, equipment and certification for users of XRF technology.

Standards

XRF analytical instruments require certified reference materials to establish a calibration curve ensuring the analysis of inorganic compositions of a substance or product to meet the expectations and quality assurances of institutions, companies and customers.

Sample Prep press

The Fluxana Sample Prep press is available in three models, the Vaneox – 15T manual Press, 25t manual Press, the Vaneox – 25t automatic press and the Vaneox – 40t automatic press. Fluxana offers a number of tools to assist with the sample prep press process: table, die, rings, mixer, Boreox, mills, cups, pellet film, binder and sample storage.

Vitriox Fusion Machine

Electrical fusion technology is used to prepare samples to be analyzed with an X-ray fluorescence instrument. It is also used to improve precision over pressed powder technology. The machine offers fully automatic cold to cold operation for 1, 2, 4 or 6 samples (1 sample at a time.)

Speak to PAS for expert advice on the best solution for your XRF needs.

Niton™DXL

Niton™ DXL Analyser

Thermo Fisher Scientific – Portable Bench top XRF

Niton gold spectrometers quickly provide the exact karat weight and percentages of all elements within an item – easily identifying non-standard, under-karated, and even advanced counterfeit gold with fire assay-comparable accuracy.

Be absolutely sure of the value of the precious metals you buy and sell with a fast, simple non-destructive solution for gold analysis. Quickly distinguish between gold plating and solid gold and determine the accurate karat (K) weight of gold jewelry with the Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ DXL Precious Metal Analyser.

Fast and accurate
Handles small pieces or multiple items simultaneously.
Non-destructive and simple to operate.

With an innovative colour touch-screen display and touch-screen keyboard, the DXL analyses precious metals with speed and accuracy. Its features include an improved intuitive interface, CCD Camera, large sample chamber with a back window for customer view and an optional small spot for the isolation of small components.

Key Applications for Niton DXL

Gold Buying / Jewellers / Secondhand Dealers / Collectors

Simultaneously measure the content of all gold and precious metals without manually changing your calibration based on the metal you’re analysing
Precisely determine the presence and concentration of other trace alloying elements including lead
Eliminate the toxicity associated with nitric acid test methods
Capture images and focus in on small areas using our integrated cameral and small spot feature (depends on model).

Contact PAS for expert guidance about the Thermo Fisher Niton DXL.

Niton™XL5 Plus

Niton™ XL5 Plus Handheld Analyser

Thermo Fisher Scientific – XRF

The Niton XL5 Plus Portable Analyser

NEW Top Range model – best limits of detection in the range, smaller, lighter, even more ergonomic.

Identify pure metals and alloys, detect tramp elements, or obtain geochemical data. with a compact, lightweight handheld XRF analyser built for the most demanding analytical applications.

The XL5 Plus allows the x-ray source and fluorescence detector to be closer to the sample, improving limits of detection and shortening measurement time, especially for light elements.

As well as metals, the XL5 Plus measures the elemental composition of scale, sludge, oil, powders and slurries.

Niton XL5 Plus is a powerful Handheld XRF analyser that features:

Vivid navigation; customisable user profiles
Micro and macro cameras
Advanced analytical performance
Lightweight ergonomic design
Smaller, faster, lighter
Segment leading light element performance
Customisable for individual applications
Accessories built for the industry
Backed by local support, knowledge and service
Large, installed customer database

Utilise mining mode to gather accurate, real time geochemical data and maximise overall productivity.

Mining mode enables users to determine the concentration of elements from Mg to U in various types of geochemical materials. Reduce overheads by implementing the Niton XL5 Plus for cost effective oil and gas exploration, mineral discovery and mining operations.

Key Applications for the Niton XL5 Plus

Mining & Exploration / Alloys /Metal Fabrication / Scrap Metal

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about the Thermo Fisher Niton XL5

Demonstration Videos

Niton™XL3

Niton™ XL3 Analyser

Thermo Fisher Scientific – Portable Handheld XRF

The Niton XL3 is an advanced Portable XRF analyser (PXRF) with sophisticated models designed for specific industry applications. A tilting, color, touch-screen display allows easy viewing of sample results under any condition.

The optional integrated camera allows users to locate, view, and store the analysis image and the test results for later reference.

The handheld Niton XL3t GOLDD+ for light element (Mg-S) analysis offers the lowest limits of detection and fastest measurement times.

Integrated GPS on some models
Rapid accurate decisions on-site
Low limits of detection
Optimisation for light elements in some models

Key Applications for the Niton XL3

Geochemical / Mining and Exploration / Manufacturing / Engineering / PMI / Scrap Metal Recycling

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about which Thermo Fisher Niton XL3 best suits your application and particular conditions.

Niton™XL2 Plus

Niton™ XL2 Analyser

Thermo Fisher Scientific – XRF

Niton™ XL2 Analyser

Thermo Fisher Scientific – XRF

NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT- NITON XL2 PLUS

The Niton XL2 Plus is a tough, powerful, handheld instrument for identifying metal alloys and mineral ores easily in the field.

The XL2 Plus is the latest in the XL2 product range of X-Ray fluorescence analysers. There are two models: XL2 980 Plus is calibrated for metals, and XL2 950 Plus for mining.

The XL2 Plus can identify Niobium in Titanium alloys down to 200 ppm and more generally, elements from Magnesium to Uranium, down to 20 ppm in some common alloys.

Applications:

Verification of metals and alloys in manufacturing operations
Quality Assurance testing for positive material identification
Point-and-shoot sorting at scrap recycling operations
Precious metal assay of bullion and jewellery

Features & Benefits:

IP Certified (Splash/ Dust Proof)
Detector ProGuard Protection
2W X-Ray Tube
Silicon Drift Detector
Micro Camera
Hot Swap Battery
Touch Screen and Directional Keys
Password Protected Security
Nose Cone Alignment Guides

Niton™ XL2 Analyser

Get fast, accurate analysis for manufacturing quality assurance with the Niton XL2 Analyser.

With four models in the range, the XL2 Analyser provides immediate, nondestructive elemental analysis for a wide range of applications including scrap metal identification, mining and exploration, and lead screening for consumer and electronic goods.

It can detect alloy materials from titanium to nickel as well as tramp and trace element analysis. The XL2’s standard analytical range spans up to 30 elements from sulphur to uranium.

Lightweight, rugged handheld Niton XL2 Analysers is built for the harsh conditions it will face:

Sealed against moisture and dust.
Ergonomically designed.
Daylight-readable icons on colour, touch-screen display.

Key Applications for the Niton XL2

General Metal / Gold / Ore / Lead Contamination / RoHS / Alloy / Mine Management / Waste / Hazmat

Speak to PAS for expert guidance about which Thermo Fisher Niton XL2 best suits your application and particular conditions.