Multielemental automated INAA system for gold ore samples

A methodological approach to the activation analysis of bulk samples up to 300 g mass on a reactor is proposed. As applied to the analysis of massive gold-bearing ore samples, the questions of representativity of the samples with inhomogeneous distribution of the component under examination, specific effects caused by gold particles as well as large sample dimensions and mass are studied and ways for taking into account their influence are suggested. An automated system of multielemental neutron activation analysis of large samples of gold-bearing ores has been developed. The system has found application in geological prospecting and the mining industry.