Computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy: A fast and reliable tool for diamond prospecting

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

Volumn 103, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 1-5

  Keulen, Nynke ^a   Hutchison, Mark T ^a   Frei, Dirk ^a  

^a GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF DENMARK AND GREENLAND   (Denmark)

Author keywords

Analytical technique; Computer controlled SEM; Garnet; Ilmenite; Kimberlite indicator mineral; Olivine

Indexed keywords

ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUE; ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS; ELECTRON MICROPROBES; ENERGY DISPERSIVE X-RAY SPECTROMETRY; KIMBERLITE INDICATOR MINERAL; KIMBERLITE INDICATOR MINERALS; MACHINE TIME; MAJOR AND MINOR ELEMENTS; PARTICLE RECOGNITION;

COMPUTER CONTROL; COST REDUCTION; ELECTRON PROBE MICROANALYSIS; ELECTRONS; GARNETS; ILMENITE; MINERALS; OLIVINE; OXIDE MINERALS; SCANNING; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; SILICATE MINERALS;

COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEMS;

DIAMOND; GARNET; ILMENITE; INDICATOR MINERAL; KIMBERLITE; MINERAL EXPLORATION; OLIVINE; PATTERN RECOGNITION; PRECISION; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY;

EID: 69949134002     PISSN: 03756742     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2009.04.001     Document Type: Article

References (14)

1. Benvie B. Mineralogical imaging of kimberlites using SEM-based techniques. Minerals Engineering 20 (2007) 435-443
2. Bernstein S., Frei D., McLimans R., Knudsen C., and Vasudev V.N. Application of CCSEM to heavy mineral deposits: source of high-Ti ilmenite sand deposits of South Kerala beaches, SW India. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 96 1 (2008) 25-42
3. Flemming R.L. Micro X-ray diffraction (μXRD): a versatile technique for characterization of Earth and planetary materials. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 44 9 (2007) 1333-1346
4. Griffin W.L., and Ryan C.G. Trace elements in indicator minerals: area selection and target evaluation in diamond exploration. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 53 (1995) 311-337
5. Grütter H.S., Gurney J.J., Menzies A.H., and Winter F. An updated classification scheme for mantle-derived garnet, for use by diamond explorers. Lithos 77 (2004) 841-857
6. Gurney J.J., and Zweistra P. The interpretation of the major element compositions of mantle minerals in diamond exploration. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 53 (1995) 293-309
7. Hutchison M.T. Diamondiferous kimberlites from the Garnet Lake area, West Greenland: exploration methodologies and petrochemistry. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport vol. 2005/68 (2005) 33-42
8. Hutchison M.T., and Heaman L.M. Chemical and physical characteristics of diamond crystals from Garnet Lake, Sarfartoq, West Greenland: an association with carbonatitic magmatism. Canadian Mineralogist 46 4 (2008) 1063-1078
9. Keulen N., Frei D., Bernstein S., Hutchison M.T., Knudsen C., and Jensen L. Fully automated analysis of grain chemistry, size and morphology by CCSEM: examples from cement production and diamond exploration. Reviews of the Survey Activities 2007, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin vol. 15 (2008) 93-96. http://www.geus.dk//publications/bull/nr15/index-uk.htm http://www.geus.dk//publications/bull/nr15/index-uk.htm
10. Meyer H.O.A. Chrome pyrope: an inclusion in natural diamond. Science 160 (1968) 1446-1447
11. Mitchell R.H. Kimberlites, Orangeites and Related Rocks (1995), Plenum, New York 410pp
12. Nimis P., and Taylor W.R. Single clinopyroxene thermobarometry for garnet peridotites: part 1. Calibration and testing of a Cr-in Cpx barometer and an enstatite-in-Cpx thermometer. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 139 (2000) 541-554
13. Walting R.J., Herbert H.K., Barrow I.S., and Thomas A.G. Analysis of diamonds and indicator minerals for diamond exploration by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Analyst 120 5 (1995) 1357-1364
14. Wyatt B.A., Baumgartner M., Anckar E., and Grütter H. Compositional classification of "kimberlitic" and "non-kimberlitic" ilmenite. Lithos 77 (2004) 819-840