X-rays to detect gold
Posted on: 07/Aug/2013 4:54:18 PM
Researchers at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) conducted a pilot study that shows that gamma-activation analysis (GAA) offers a much faster, more accurate way to detect gold than traditional chemical analysis methods.
The new technique that could save mineral industries hundreds of millions of dollars each year.GAA works by scanning mineral samples typically weighing around half a kilogramme using high-energy X-rays similar to those used to treat patients in hospitals. The X-rays activate any gold in the sample, and the activation is then picked up using a sensitive detector.
