Applied Mineralogy

Analytical techniques that allow for a comprehensive study of prospects and deposits.

Applied Mineralogy Services

  • Fluid Inclusion Thermometry
  • Reflectance Spectrometry (VNIR-SWIR)
  • Qemscan Analysis
  • Electronic Microprobe

Thermometry of Fluid Inclusions

Fluid inclusions are tiny bubbles of fluids that were trapped during the formation of a crystal and its study provides information about the physical-chemical conditions in which the mineral was formed.

Thanks to the analysis of fluid inclusions it is possible to determine: formation temperature, fluid salinity, pressure, depth of location as well as other information. These parameters are very useful in mining exploration as they provide answers to questions about the environment of the deposit formation and generate guidelines for exploration.

  • GEOCRONOS has a modern Linkam Model THMS-600 stage connected to a T-96 model heater-cooler module and a Linkam LNP-96 vacuum generating cylinder (model 2019). The temperature range of the plate fluctuates between -196°C and 600°C.

Reflectance Spectrometry (VNIR-SWIR)

Reflectance spectrometry is a technique that uses the energy of the electromagnetic spectrum of light in the visible field, the near infrared and the short-wave infrared. This method allows to determine minerals and associations of alteration minerals. It is especially useful to identify clay minerals which are difficult to identify by conventional methods of microscopy because of their small size. Summarizing, this technique allows to understand the hydrothermal system of a particular prospect and to generate the guidelines of an exploration plan.
  • GEOCRONOS has a state-of-the-art Terraspec Halo portable spectrometer, spanning the VNIR+SWIR (350 to 2500 nm) infrared regions. Through a built-in spectrum library it is possible to identify more than 140 minerals quickly and accurately.

QEMSCAN ANALYSIS

Studies using Qemscan automated mineralogy allow the identification and quantification of the constituents of a mineral sample, establishing their abundance, mineral associations, grain size and characterizing the textural relationships of the different mineral phases present. This is a non-destructive instrumental method, of a quantitative nature, especially used for the characterization of the main ores (Cu, Au, Ag, Mo, Fe, Pb, Zn, REE, etc.).
  • The Qemscan® equipment is made up of systems integrated by an SEM scanning electron microscope with EDS X-ray dispersive energy detectors and BSE backscattered electrons.

Electronic Microprobe

It allows to characterize solid phases texturally and compositionally, since it provides both precise qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis, even for phases of interest that are found in small volumes, thus allowing to establish the composition of mineral phases in terms of majority, minority and trace minerals (>100ppm). ) and their compositional variations in space. Because it is a non-destructive analysis, it allows preserving the textural relationships of the different components.
  • “The polished surface of the sample is bombarded by a high energy (15-30KV) electron beam, in a small volume and in response to this excitation, the sample emits different types of signals, each of which will provide information about some particular aspect of the sample.”

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Geocronos es una empresa conformada por geólogos, especializada en servicios y asesorías en exploración minera, mineralogía, mineralogía aplicada y geometalurgia.
Servicios Geológicos
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Camino El Venado Interior 1505, Piso 1, San Pedro de la Paz, Concepción – Chile.
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(56) 412946905
(56) 412464043
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