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APPLICATION NOTE

Copperbelt, Sulphide ZM – AMIS 0809

SUMMARY

The application note summarizes the digestion of AMIS 0809, a Copperbelt sulphide ore from Zambia, using ColdBlock™ Digestion Pro Series Technology.

Instrument:ColdBlock CBM Pro Series, chiller, ICP-OES
Published:June 2025
Digestion Time:35 Minutes
Acid Used:HNO3, HCl, HF & H3BO3
Average ColdBlock Recovery vs. CRM:
  • 105% cobalt
  • 103% copper
  • 102% nickel

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METHODOLOGY

  1. Set the chiller temperature to -5°C.
  2. Weigh 0.25 g of each sample and transfer into a ColdBlock™ Digestion vessel
  3. Add 20 mL of reverse aqua regia (add HNO3 first, followed by HCl) and 3 mL of HF to each vessel.
  4. Digest samples at 80% power for 20 minutes.
  5. Add 20 mL of 4% boric acid (w/v) to each sample.
  6. Digest samples again at 80% power for 10 minutes.
  7. Add 5 mL of HCl.
  8. Digest at 100% power for 5 minutes.
  9. Cool the samples and adjust the volume to 50 mL with DI water

DISCUSSION

  • The addition of boric acid aids in the re-solubilization of insoluble fluorides and neutralizes residual hydrofluoric acid (HF). This step is crucial for sample dissolution and minimizing analyte loss during digestion.
  • Following the digestion process, the samples were visibly clear, indicating that the majority sample matrix had dissolved. A trace amount of sample material settled on the bottom of the tube overnight.

AMIS 0809 was made using sulphide ore sourced from the Kansanshi Mine, located in the Northwestern Province of Zambia.
African Mineral Standards (AMIS). (2022). Certificate of Analysis: AMIS0809 – Copperbelt, Sulphide Zambia. Retrieved from www.amis.co.za/

Results

Copperbelt, Sulphide ZM – AMIS 0809
Method: 0.25g – Add 20mL reverse aqua regia + 3mL HF and digest at 80% power for 20 minutes. Add 20mL of 4% boric acid w/v and digest again at 80% power for 10 minutes. Add 5mL HCl, and digest again for 5 minutes. Let cool, and adjust the volume to 50mL with DI water.
Element AMIS Certified Values ColdBlock Average ColdBlock Stdev +/– ColdBlock RSD ColdBlock Recovery vs Certified Value
Ag (ppm) 0.6 <1 N/A N/A N/A
Al (%) 1.04 1.00 0.02 1.8% 96%
As (ppm) 32 40 1.51 3.5% 114%
Ba (ppm) 21 20.6 0.44 2.1% 98%
Be (ppm) 0.2 <0.5 N/A N/A N/A
Bi (ppm) 1 <5 N/A N/A N/A
Ca (%) 18.15 17.97 0.21 1.2% 99%
Cd (ppm) 0.2 <0.5 N/A N/A N/A
Co (ppm) 366 387 1.52 0.4% 105%
Cr (ppm) 99 98 2.41 2.5% 99%
Cu (%) 2.97 3.05 0.02 0.7% 103%
Fe (%) 5.69 5.94 0.08 1.4% 104%
Mg (%) 1.22 1.23 0.01 1.1% 101%
Mn (ppm) 1065 1065 8.61 0.8% 100%
Mo (ppm) 100 108 3.69 3.4% 107%
Na (ppm) 8796 8686 183 2.1% 99%
Ni (%) 310 317 5.23 1.6% 102%
P (ppm) 291 286 11.9 4.2% 98%
Pb (ppm) 29 30 3.23 10.1% 101%
S (%) 5.29 5.52 0.07 1.3% 104%
Sb (ppm) 2 <5 N/A N/A N/A
Sr (ppm) 174 167 0.84 0.5% 96%
Zn (ppm) 75 71 0.67 0.9% 95%

Click here to download the Application Note in PDF format.

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