Geochemistry / Technical Note

COPPER
Exploration, Mining, Refining,
Characterisation

ALS has decades of experience with some of the world’s largest

copper projects. We have a range of methods to suit any
project or deposit type from exploration to resource definition,
and through to processing.

Historically, copper exploration with alteration index instead of inconsistent Instrument choice depends on the
soil, rock and drill core samples has and tenuous results from a handful of stage of your project and your goals as
involved a simple aqua regia digestion drill core samples. Four-acid digestion different detection limits are available
and AAS, ICP-AES or ICP-MS analysis. analyses can also deliver insight from each. Greenfields exploration
Aqua regia easily decomposes into the ore minerals present in your using trace element pathfinders
common copper-bearing sulphide samples, and aid in the understanding require the sensitivity and range of
minerals such as chalcopyrite and of magmatic processes. the ICP-MS. Economical packages
bornite, as well as secondary copper available from ICP-AES are suitable for
Four-acid digestion is generally
minerals often found in association ore body drilling with a trace element
required for massive sulphide deposits
such as malachite, azurite and cuprite. profile. For more mineralised samples,
due to the presence of refractory
Sediment-hosted Cu, redbeds, and such as massive sulphide ores, ICP-
minerals incorporating metals such
IOCG deposits can be effectively AES analysis is ideal. The table below
as nickel, cobalt, lead and zinc. Some
explored using aqua regia digestion. describes the most common methods
sample matrices with very high
However, there is increasing sulphide content may require an used in copper exploration available at
recognition in the industry that oxidising fusion to overcome matrix ALS Geochemistry. Please contact our
exploration for porphyries may effects inherent to acid digestion. client services team for alternatives.
benefit from four-acid digestion.
Copper porphyries with accessory Aqua regia Four-acid Fusion
molybdenum require a four-acid Methods Methods Methods
digestion for complete recovery. ME-MS41LTM ME-MS61LTM
Secondary silicate minerals like Super trace
53 elements 48 elements
chrysocolla show higher Cu recovery Level
0.01 ppm - 1% Cu 0.02 ppm - 1% Cu
in a four-acid digestion. An added
ME-MS41TM ME-MS61TM
advantage of four-acid analyses is that Trace
51 elements 48 elements
routine use will produce a database Level
0.2 ppm - 1% Cu 0.2 ppm - 1% Cu
of multi-element geochemistry which
ME-ICP41 ME-ICP61
can prove to be exceptionally valuable Intermediate
36 elements 34 elements
in alteration and lithology mapping, grade
1 ppm - 1% Cu 1 ppm - 1% Cu
especially when combined with a sub-
set of XRF whole rock geochemistry ME-ICP41a ME-ICP61a ME-ICP81
results. Imagine having your entire Mineralised 34 elements 33 elements 16 elements
geochemical library as a basis for an 5 ppm - 5% Cu 10 ppm - 10% Cu 20 ppm - 30% Cu

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Copper Ore Mineral
of processing methods for rapid,
Characterisation
economical tests on standard pulp
Mineral-selective leaches for copper samples. Variations in acid strength,
can be useful at many different temperature, and leach time can be
stages in a project’s life. Some incorporated into these procedures,
understanding of the recovery and they can be combined
from common processing methods with sequential leaches for ore
may be valuable during resource characterisation. We’re happy to work
GEOCHEMISTRY CLIENT SERVICES
evaluation. Established mines may with you on customising tests to the
want to produce early metallurgical particular mineralogy and extraction
Australia — Brisbane
characterisation with exploration method of choice for your project.
T +61 7 3243 7222
geochemistry during resource
As well, leaches are available as E alsgeo.brisbane@alsglobal.com
extension or infill drilling.
sequential packages. Contact client
ALS Geochemistry offers a variety services staff for more details. Australia — Perth
T +61 8 9347 3222
Leach Type Description E alsgeo.perth@alsglobal.com

Citric Acid Targets oxide/non-sulphide minerals. Used in heap leach and

Cu-AA04 bioleaching. Brazil — Belo Horizonte
T +55 31 3045 8400
Sulphuric Acid Targets oxide/non-sulphide minerals. Widely used in copper
E alsgeo.belohorizonte@alsglobal.com
Cu-AA05 processing.
Cyanide Leach Targets secondary sulphide minerals and some primary
Cu-AA17 sulphides Useful when the project contains gold. Canada — Vancouver
Others Specialty leaches including water, ammonium acetate, and T +1 604 984 0221
E alsgeo.vancouver@alsglobal.com
Cu-AA07n modified four-acid (perchloric acid replaced with sulphuric
Cu-AA08q acid) are available.
Cu-PKG06Li Sequential Leach Package. Chile — Santiago
T +56 2 2654 6100
E alsgeo.santiago@alsglobal.com
Assaying copper products
To develop the best analytical
ALS Geochemistry copper assays and program for your ore grade samples,
Ireland — Loughrea
related methods cover everything from mill concentrates, or other specialised T +353 91 841 741
overlimits on exploration samples to material,please contact Client Services E alsgeo.loughrea@alsglobal.com
trace components in copper anodes. to discuss your needs.

Mexico — Hermosillo
Sample type Method Description T +52 662 260 7586
High grade copper ore assays E alsgeo.hermosillo@alsglobal.com
Cu-OG46/OG62 - 0.001-50% are available from both ICP-
Ore Grade Cu-AA46/AA62 - 0.001-50% AES or AAS. These may be
Peru — Lima
Samples Methods “46” are digested via Aqua set to automatically trigger
T +51 1 574 57 00
Regia and “62” are digested via 4 acid. as overlimits for exploration
E alsgeo.lima@alsglobal.com
samples with high Cu content.
Native Metallic screen method for
Cu-SCR21 - 0.01-100%
Copper samples containing native Cu. South Africa — Johannesburg
ME-MS41c/MS61c - 2ppm-10% T +27 11 608 0555
Many methods for Cu
E alsgeo.johannesburg@alsglobal.com
ME-XRF15c - 0.01-50% concentrates are provided,
including high precision
Copper Cu-VOL61 - 0.01-100% determination of copper and Spain — Seville
Concentrates
ME-MS41c is digested via Aqua Regia smelter penalty trace element T +34 955 513 035
and ME-MS61c is digested via 4 acid and profiles. Umpire assays are
E alsgeo.seville@alsglobal.com
both report a full suite of trace elements. also available.

A variety of highly specialised USA — Reno

Specialty Please inquire at your nearest determinations on products T +1 775 356 5395
Products ALS Geochemistry branch. such as Cu cathode, Cu anode, E alsgeo.reno@alsglobal.com
various plant solutions.

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ALS provides a wide range of specialised testing services covering all stages of your project’s life
cycle. Please visit alsglobal.com for more information on our services and specialties.
ALS right solutions. right partner. © Copyright 2022 ALS Limited. All rights reserved. alsglobal.com