{"id":1470,"date":"2013-10-10T14:30:48","date_gmt":"2013-10-10T18:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/?p=1470"},"modified":"2026-01-06T17:10:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T17:10:51","slug":"interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Prep Tools Add Value to Portable XRF Analysis in Mining Applications?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instruments<\/a> offer many operational and cost benefits to the mining industry. They provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive, permanent, on-site labs or costly and untimely sample dispatch to off-site laboratories. However, in many cases, the key to achieving better\u00a0correlation with laboratory results using portable XRF is proper sample preparation.<\/em> We interviewed a leading geologist about the pros and cons of portable XRF and sample preparation in mining elemental analysis.<\/em>

\"Geologist

Geologist onsite<\/p><\/div> Q: Tell us about your experience with portable XRF technology<\/a> for this application. A: I have used portable XRF in various projects, from precious metals to base metals. The detection limit for many elements, particularly base metals, is good enough, and reliable data can be created in the field which helps the geologists to make decision onsite, particularly if you are drilling. However, the user should understand the limitations of this technique before using it. For example, if you are looking for an element in concentrations close to the detection limit of that element, most probably you will not get the accuracy that you need. Q: Can this limitation be overcome? A: Sample preparation<\/a> is the key if you are looking for higher accuracy data. This is especially true for strongly altered and mineralized samples. Q: What does sample preparation accomplish? A: Sample preparation creates a homogeneous sample, which is extremely important because sample composition and sampling techniques can greatly impact results. Samples that come out of a mill or similar device are fine-grained and contain more consistent particle sizes than any other type of sample. A powdered sample is more representative of the sampling media and will produce consistent and repeatable assay data. Non-homogenous samples contain different concentrations of elements at different points across the sample. The best solution for inhomogeneous samples is to fully prepare them, which then homogenizes the sample in the process. Q: When would you choose to forgo sample prep? A: I have seen users who prefer to get data fast on unprepared samples, even in drill cores for trend analysis. So, the bottom line is time: higher accuracy on prepared samples, which takes a few minutes to prepare each sample, or lower accuracy on unprepared samples. A recent study evaluated how portable XRF analysis may be enhanced with sample preparation. To see the results, including the correlation curves, repeatability data, methodology, and comments, read Use of Sample Preparation Tools in Mining and Mineral Exploration Projects<\/a>.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instruments offer many operational and cost benefits to the mining industry. They provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive, permanent, on-site labs or costly and untimely sample dispatch to off-site laboratories. However, in many cases, the key to achieving better\u00a0correlation with laboratory results using portable XRF is proper sample preparation. We interviewed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":138,"featured_media":1469,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,11],"tags":[83,16],"division":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1470","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-exploration","8":"category-portable-xrf","9":"tag-elemental-analysis-2","10":"tag-mining-2","11":"entry"},"_selected_authors":[1204],"_selected_reviewers":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nInterview with a Geologist; Do Sample Analysis Tools Add Value?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The pros and cons of portable XRF in mining elemental analysis, including the importance of sample preparation\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Prep Tools Add Value to Portable XRF Analysis in Mining Applications?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The pros and cons of portable XRF in mining elemental analysis, including the importance of sample preparation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Advancing Mining\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thermofisher\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2013-10-10T18:30:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-06T17:10:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/09\/07-15_017-1024x768.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jon Culbertson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@thermofisher\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@thermofisher\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jon Culbertson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jon Culbertson\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/fca266c46458b3b07bf26848ecce5c91\"},\"headline\":\"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Prep Tools Add Value to Portable XRF Analysis in Mining Applications?\",\"datePublished\":\"2013-10-10T18:30:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-06T17:10:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":431,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/07-15_017.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"elemental analysis\",\"mining\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Exploration\",\"Portable XRF\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/\",\"name\":\"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Analysis Tools Add Value?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/07-15_017.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2013-10-10T18:30:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-06T17:10:51+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/fca266c46458b3b07bf26848ecce5c91\"},\"description\":\"The pros and cons of portable XRF in mining elemental analysis, including the importance of sample preparation\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/07-15_017.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/07-15_017.jpg\",\"width\":2816,\"height\":2112,\"caption\":\"Geologist Interview re Portable XRF\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Prep Tools Add Value to Portable XRF Analysis in Mining Applications?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/\",\"name\":\"Advancing Mining\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/fca266c46458b3b07bf26848ecce5c91\",\"name\":\"Jon Culbertson\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b0799de18b4f3f8a4f810363338e12750b13e27eea7ff3e0bd64c409a5d66f94?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b0799de18b4f3f8a4f810363338e12750b13e27eea7ff3e0bd64c409a5d66f94?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b0799de18b4f3f8a4f810363338e12750b13e27eea7ff3e0bd64c409a5d66f94?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jon Culbertson\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/author\\\/jon-culbertsonthermofisher-com\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Analysis Tools Add Value?","description":"The pros and cons of portable XRF in mining elemental analysis, including the importance of sample preparation","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Prep Tools Add Value to Portable XRF Analysis in Mining Applications?","og_description":"The pros and cons of portable XRF in mining elemental analysis, including the importance of sample preparation","og_url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/","og_site_name":"Advancing Mining","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thermofisher","article_published_time":"2013-10-10T18:30:48+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-01-06T17:10:51+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":768,"url":"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/09\/07-15_017-1024x768.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jon Culbertson","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@thermofisher","twitter_site":"@thermofisher","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jon Culbertson","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/"},"author":{"name":"Jon Culbertson","@id":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/#\/schema\/person\/fca266c46458b3b07bf26848ecce5c91"},"headline":"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Prep Tools Add Value to Portable XRF Analysis in Mining Applications?","datePublished":"2013-10-10T18:30:48+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-06T17:10:51+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/"},"wordCount":431,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/09\/07-15_017.jpg","keywords":["elemental analysis","mining"],"articleSection":["Exploration","Portable XRF"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/","url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/","name":"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Analysis Tools Add Value?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/09\/07-15_017.jpg","datePublished":"2013-10-10T18:30:48+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-06T17:10:51+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/#\/schema\/person\/fca266c46458b3b07bf26848ecce5c91"},"description":"The pros and cons of portable XRF in mining elemental analysis, including the importance of sample preparation","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/09\/07-15_017.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/09\/07-15_017.jpg","width":2816,"height":2112,"caption":"Geologist Interview re Portable XRF"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/interview-geologist-sample-analysis-tools-add-value-portable-xrf-analysis-mining-applications\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Interview with a Geologist; Do Sample Prep Tools Add Value to Portable XRF Analysis in Mining Applications?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/#website","url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/","name":"Advancing Mining","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/#\/schema\/person\/fca266c46458b3b07bf26848ecce5c91","name":"Jon Culbertson","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b0799de18b4f3f8a4f810363338e12750b13e27eea7ff3e0bd64c409a5d66f94?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b0799de18b4f3f8a4f810363338e12750b13e27eea7ff3e0bd64c409a5d66f94?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b0799de18b4f3f8a4f810363338e12750b13e27eea7ff3e0bd64c409a5d66f94?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Jon Culbertson"},"url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/author\/jon-culbertsonthermofisher-com\/"}]}},"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":4,"label":"Exploration"},{"value":11,"label":"Portable XRF"}],"post_tag":[{"value":83,"label":"elemental analysis"},{"value":16,"label":"mining"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/09\/07-15_017-1024x768.jpg",760,570,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Jon Culbertson","author_link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/author\/jon-culbertsonthermofisher-com\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":4,"name":"Exploration","slug":"exploration","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":4,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":150,"filter":"raw","meta":[],"cat_ID":4,"category_count":150,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Exploration","category_nicename":"exploration","category_parent":0},{"term_id":11,"name":"Portable XRF","slug":"portable-xrf","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":11,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":76,"filter":"raw","meta":[],"cat_ID":11,"category_count":76,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Portable XRF","category_nicename":"portable-xrf","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":83,"name":"elemental analysis","slug":"elemental-analysis-2","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":83,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":16,"filter":"raw","meta":[]},{"term_id":16,"name":"mining","slug":"mining-2","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":16,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":111,"filter":"raw","meta":[]}],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13986,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/best-practices-for-accurate-in-situ-geochemical-analysis\/","url_meta":{"origin":1470,"position":0},"title":"Best Practices for Accurate In Situ Geochemical Analysis","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"March 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In situ geochemical analysis refers to elemental testing performed directly on geological materials in their natural location, avoiding the delays and costs associated with laboratory testing.\u00a0 While in situ geochemical analysis delivers immediate elemental data, the reliability of those results depends heavily on proper field methodology. Portable analytical technologies used\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exploration"","block_context":{"text":"Exploration","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/exploration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mining truck on a dirt road in the Andes, Chile (near Embalse El Yeso, Caj\u00f3n del Maipo, San Jos\u00e9 de Maipo)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1624,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/a-halloween-treat-free-periodic-table\/","url_meta":{"origin":1470,"position":1},"title":"A Halloween Treat – Free Periodic Table","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"October 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"No tricks here. Download this handy periodic table and X-ray energy reference guide to help in analyzing your mining samples. \u00a0It's our treat. Then visit our Mining and Minerals, Cement Production, and Coal Power pages for more goodies. Download Periodic Table.\u00a0 \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis"","block_context":{"text":"Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/elemental-geochemical-analysis\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"halloween scene with plastic pumpkin and candy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13977,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/what-is-in-situ-geochemical-analysis-and-why-it-is-critical-for-modern-field-operations\/","url_meta":{"origin":1470,"position":2},"title":"What Is In Situ Geochemical Analysis \u2014 And Why It Is Critical for Modern Field Operations","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In situ geochemical analysis has become a cornerstone of modern mineral exploration, mining, and environmental fieldwork. As project timelines tighten and operational costs increase, organizations can no longer afford delays caused by traditional laboratory testing workflows. In situ analysis \u2014 the ability to measure elemental composition directly at the sampling\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exploration"","block_context":{"text":"Exploration","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/exploration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Close up of industrial worker holding mineral ore in gloved hands on mining site","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-896157842.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-896157842.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-896157842.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-896157842.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-896157842.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-896157842.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13544,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/did-you-read-these-mining-and-minerals-articles-yet\/","url_meta":{"origin":1470,"position":3},"title":"Did You Read These Mining and Minerals Articles Yet?","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"December 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"According to Google, here are the Top 10 read articles this year from Advancing Mining. Some have been around for quite awhile, but are still as relevant as ever. If you missed any of the latest articles, just click\u00a0here\u00a0to see the most recently published articles. You can even filter by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General\/Industry"","block_context":{"text":"General\/Industry","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/general-industry-mining\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Top 10, words, isolated on a dark blue background. Alphabet on stone blocks.Rating. Rating concept. Background.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/iStock-1411361298.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/iStock-1411361298.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/iStock-1411361298.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/iStock-1411361298.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/iStock-1411361298.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/iStock-1411361298.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2707,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/potash-a-look-at-the-worlds-most-popular-fertilizer\/","url_meta":{"origin":1470,"position":4},"title":"Potash: A Look at the World\u2019s Most Popular Fertilizer","author":"Ali Somarin","date":"April 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Potash Explained Potash is one of the most essential fertilizers in modern agriculture, supplying potassium\u2014an irreplaceable nutrient that supports plant growth, crop yield, and overall food production. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), about 85% of potash is used in fertilizers, underscoring its critical role in global farming systems.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Data Management\/Lab Automation"","block_context":{"text":"Data Management\/Lab Automation","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/data-management-lab-automation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"potash evaporation ponds at mining site","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13488,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/the-role-of-edxrf-spectrometers-in-the-extraction-of-copper-from-ore\/","url_meta":{"origin":1470,"position":5},"title":"The Role of EDXRF Spectrometers in the Extraction of Copper from Ore","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"November 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Copper extraction is a complex process requiring precise control to ensure high purity. Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometers play a vital role by providing fast, non-destructive elemental analysis of ores, concentrates, and intermediate products. This enables mining operations to optimize extraction efficiency, maintain quality assurance, and meet stringent industry\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis"","block_context":{"text":"Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/elemental-geochemical-analysis\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"a rock showing signs of copper and gold.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/iStock-1309478061.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/09\/07-15_017.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/138"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1470\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1470"},{"taxonomy":"division","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/division?post=1470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}