ASSAYING -As one can see,
type of assaying matters.
If a lab uses a minimizing acid that creates smaller bonds
versus
oxidants that create larger bonds
and if only a droplette of water is used, misted into a
spectrometry machine - one has to ask,
would a smaller acid bond allow for more - nickel in a drop ?
would a large bond limit - amount of nicke lin one drop ?
The answer, seems quite obvious.
acids that create smaller bonds = more metal in single drop.
= higher % grade.
God forbid a lab technician,
didn't ( agitate ) each digested sample, prior to assaying,
and oxide or heavier bonds sink in solubilized sample
resulting in, poor distribution of mineral values not in
full suspension.
= clear water at top, vs, heavy cons at bottom
and water eye dropper only siphons a drop from surface.
Keep in mind...
Historical assaying on Langmuir, did use diff acids,
So.... what if they did a few more assaying tests,
and found say.... 0.10% more nickel using diff acid ?
.10 % Ni ( tonne ) hypothetical ( more found )
= 2.2 lbs Ni / tonne
1.1 billion tonnes ( combined categories )
x 2.2 lbs
= 2.4 billion pounds ( more )
Throw in the original -
5.5 billion lbs ( press release )
and you get the picture....
as to how important - assaying can be,
and types of acids - should be.
Which begs...
what if the grades were above - 0.5% Ni ?
Look at my former post....
Using the Sodium Peroxide, on Ni silicates
( online 0 equations show - the sodium forms
a really complex coumpound bond including
Sodium, Nickel, Hydrogen, Oxygen,
Now lets ask....
how would a sepctrometry machine precive a complex
bond would it - spit out - sodium detection miss the nickel bond ?
HERE'S A CAPTION FROM A LAB ASSAY Co.
Sodium peroxide fusion will result in a total metal recovery and is effective for the decomposition of sulphides and refractory minerals.
For nickel sulphide deposits this is the preferred method.
This method is not suitable if sodium is required.
8-4-Acid is recommended if sodium is required.
LINK -
https://actlabs.com/geochemistry/lithogeochemistry-and-whole-rock-analysis/peroxide-total-fusion/
I read another lab proceedure saying,
after a sodium / peroxide samples should also see
an
acid digestion. That tells me... not all minerals may have solubilzed....
Or..... better yet....
the LARGE COMPOUND BOND sodium peroxide forms
most likely can be converted - into - smaller acid bonds
= higher percentage per tonne .
- condensed concentration per small solution droplette.
Post is not investment adivce...
But... perhaps is a good idea for the junior to consider
pulling a few cores and trying out a diff acid...
4 part acid vs just peroxide vs sodium peroxide - etc....
comparing each with - hisrotical results.
Again... dealing in a 1.1 billion tonne resource...
and every ( 0.10 % ) increase in grade - if found...
could radically changing the over all sixe of resource...
exponentially.
If some of these bonds create upto 14 molecules...
versus... simple acids creating - 5 or 6 bonds.
Not hard to comprehend - 5 or 6 molecule acid bonds
could have a far higher concentrate with in a single droplette
than a 14 compound bond . The larger would only allow a few
to host hte droplette.
Cheers.....