Mineralogical Analysis

We analyse sample concentrates in our own mineralogical laboratories. These are equipped with modern facilities.

The mineralogical analysis includes two stages.

The first stage consists of sample preparation for mineralogical analysis, which included the following operations:

1. Screening (sieving) of the samples into +1 mm and –1 mm size fractions.
2. Heavy medium (CHBr₃, specific gravity 2.9) separation of the –1 mm size fraction and fractionation of the heavy minerals.
3. Paramagnetic separation of the –1 mm heavy fraction into magnetic, paramagnetic and nonmagnetic fractions.
4. Weighing of all the fractions and screening of paramagnetic fraction into –1+0.5 mm, -0.5+0.25 mm and -0.25 mm size classes. 

Pyrope	Chrome Spinel	Chrome-Diopside
Olivine	Picroilmenite	Manganoan Ilmenite (Manganoilmenite)

The second stage consists essentially of mineralogical analysis for kimberlite indicator minerals (KIM) and hand-picking of pyrope, chrome spinel, chrome-diopside, olivine, and picroilmenite, as well as diamond and gold (if found) grains for subsequent instrumental examination. In addition to these minerals, we have found, that, in some areas, manganoan ilmenite (manganoilmenite) can be also used as an indicator mineral (Kaminsky & Belousova 2009).

At a special request, we make a full mineralogical analysis, which is of great importance in new areas.

A common practice in diamond exploration is to ignore the -0.25 mm (and, in some laboratories, -0.5 mm) size fractions. In our studies, all size fractions of the heavy minerals, including the -0.25+0.1 mm fraction, are viewed for KIM.