1 Special Mineralogy for the Field

1 Identification of Target Areas

Franke

1 Quick Assays in Mineral Identification

In the field, bout 50 chemical elements can be identified as the main constituents of minerals, slags, alloys, and other substances through simple and cheap inorganic analyses; a dozen elements can even be detected in trace amounts. The course aims at prospectors, who need a fast preliminary analysis and who don’t have access to modern scientific facilities. The tests were selected and, in some cases, further developed in order to avoid the use of extremely poisonous and hazardous chemicals; detailed safety tips are also given. The introduction is followed by a description of the principal techniques and equipment, while the special section presents identification tests for the different elements in alphabetical order of their element symbols. Further instructions are given for the preparation of test papers and reagents as well as a review of staining tests for carbonates and the solubility of more abundant minerals.

Quednau

2 Geochemical Sampling

Geochemical data are the most important tool to estimate the economic value of mineral commodities and/or the characterisation of environmental hazardous impacts. Misdiagnosis reasoned by an improper sampling can cause disastrous economic losses. The course will introduce the essential ideas, strategies, technical equipments, sample preparations, and statistical approaches for an effective geochemical sampling. Additionally, the particular demands of the discrete applications will be outlined (e.g., grass root sampling, mineral processing, remediation, etc.). The participants will learn to design and implement economically feasible sampling strategies and interpretation reports.

4 Plant Indicators

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1 Field Work