Multi-element analysis of gold tailings using X-ray fluorescence analysis and neutron activation analysis

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) have been used for the multi-element determination of trace and rare elements in gold tailing samples from the Prestea, Tarkwa and Obuasi gold mines in Ghana. The XRF set-up used was a 30 mCi Cd-109 radioisotope source with a Si(Li) detector, a Canberra 80 MCA, and an Apple minicomputer. For the INAA the source of irradiation was a 20 Ci Am-Be radioisotope with a neutron flux of 4.84 x 104 ns-1 cm-2. The combination of the above nuclear techniques enabled the identification in the samples of these ranges of elements: Na, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Kr, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ag, Au, and Pb. With the exception of the elements Na, Al, As and Fe (0.6-13.4%) the other elements identified were present in trace quantities. (author)