Rapid Indicator Mineral Scan (RIMSCAN)

Our Rapid Indicator Mineral Scan (RIMSCAN) uses smaller samples than traditional methods and provides fully automated, rapid, objective identification of the full indicator mineral suite (kimberlite and base metal indicator minerals, gold, uranium etc.).

Indicator mineral methods are an effective tool used in mineral exploration. Heavy mineral concentrates (HMC) are traditionally recovered from large, conventional till and soil samples to ensure recovery of key minerals.  In the past, HMC were time consuming and used + 250 µm fractions. However, over 60% of the indicator mineral population occurs in the finer fractions that are laborious to pick. With RIMSCAN, even the finest material can be rapidly examined for its full mineral content and more information can be generated (e.g. mineral abundances, mineral mass distribution, and particle size).

Sample Preparation

Unlike traditional procedures that require a 20 to 30 kg sample, RIMSCAN works with a smaller sample (0.5- 2 kg).  A sub-sample of this may be submitted for geochemical analysis, still leaving sufficient material for RIMSCAN.  Larger size fractions can be used when processing kimberlite indicator minerals.

Advantages of RIMSCAN

• Fully automated, rapid, objective identification of the full indicator mineral suite (kimberlite indicator minerals, base metal indicator minerals, gold, uranium etc.).
• Mineral identification is objective and not dependent on the skills of the observer.
• Indicator mineral recovery is quantified.
• A permanent digital record of the mineral population is created.
• Further analysis for shape factors can provide an objective measure of transport or degree of rounding.
• This methodology is valid for till samples or soils from any terrain.
• Very fast turnaround is possible since determinations are automated.
• Small sample size reduces shipping and processing costs.
• Chemical analysis can be done on sample split.
• The prepared sample can be used for additional analysis by electron microprobe or laser ablation inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Data Output

Tens to hundreds of thousands of data points are collected on each section during RIMSCAN analysis.  Depending on program requirements, many types of measurement are possible and the output can be tailored to individual project objectives.

For instance, RIMSCAN allows the calculation of precise modal abundances and grain size distributions for individual minerals. Detailed particle maps of each identified mineral can also be created to show mineral abundances, relationships, grain size distribution, etc.

SGS’s technical innovation RIMSCAN provides you with the ability to gather statistically accurate data on coarse and fine fractions of indicator mineral samples using QEMSCAN, an extremely fast and accurate High Definition Mineralogical technique.  For a real competitive advantage, get RIMSCAN working for you and improve your delineation of target areas and speed-to-market.