The use of different analytical techniques as a backup to mineral resources assessment

Abstract

In order to assure suitable capabilities in the analytical chemistry field, the Empresas Nucleares Brasileiras S.A.-NUCLEBRÁS implemented and improved, since their foundation, in 1974, several laboratories in the Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN, in Belo Horizonte. In this area, skillful personnel, using a large spectrum of equipments and procedures, is able to determine fast and accurately almost and chemical element in any matrix. About 340.000 analytical determinations have been performed during the lst seven years, concerning primarily with chemical elements which are of most importance in the mineral technology programs. This considerable amount of results has been used, specially, as a backup to assess Brazilian uranium resources, a successful task.