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The large variety of often distinctive heavy minerals found in sediments can provide valuable information for interpreting stratigraphy and determining the provenance of a sediment. When minerals of economic importance such as gold, or kimberlite indicator minerals such as pyrope, are observed in the heavy mineral fraction, they can often be traced to a source in bedrock. Furthermore, the heavy mineral fraction can provide information on the nature of geochemical anomalies that would be otherwise difficult to obtain.
Consorminex has conducted numerous heavy mineral studies aimed at solving a great variety of problems. Samples from across Canada as well as the United States, Costa Rica, Haiti, South America, Europe, and Africa have been examined.
Typically, a heavy mineral point count is done on a split that has been mounted in epoxy cement. A binocular microscope equipped with polar and Nicol prisms is used for counting. Observations are recorded using a PC keyboard (rather than a blood cell counter) and a point counting program designed for heavy minerals. This method facilitates the use of complex mineral classifications and increases accuracy. As with our other services, we are always willing to work with clients to design the most appropriate methodology for analysing their samples.
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