Assessment of quartz qualities IV

Abstract

The chemistry of quartz from three potential deposits in eastern Australia was determined by laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) by order of Philip Andre Delacretaz, who is consultant for Koolgarra Mining Limited, Australia. The quartz were characterised petrologically to identify non-quartz impurities. LA-ICP-MS was applied to determine the concentrations of the structurally incorporated trace elements Al, Ti, Li, P, B, Fe, K, Na, Ca, Ge, Mn, and Be in quartz. The structurally bound ions cannot be easily removed by processing and, thus, their concentration reflects the qualitative potential of the quartz raw material. Ten LA-ICP-MS analyses were carried out. (...)