Neutron activation assaying analysis of mineral products and ore concentrates

A combined method of the neutron activation assaying analysis has been developed for determining rare and scattered elements in mineral products and ore concentrates. The technique for method realization in two variants is described. The first one supposes the reactor irradiation of samples with radiochemical separation of the activation products by the assaying melting method. Sensitivities of the determination reach (in%%) for gold - 10-8-10-9, for silver - 110-8, for uranium -10-5, for selenium - 10-6, for tellurium - 10-4-10-5, for cobalt - 10-7, for thorium - 10-5, for scandium - 10-6. The second variant supposes assaying concentration of noble metals and chalcogenides in in Pb-work-leads with the following activation by the reactor thermal neutrons. The efficiency of both techniques is several thousands of element-determinations per year. The cost of one element-determination is approximately 10 roubles