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There are many methods to analyse for for metals such as Cu, Zn, and Fe. If you are determining "ore grade" concentrations of these metals for economic purposes, its called an "assay."

If the metals you are referring to are in their native form, than any geologist or metallurgist should be able to identify them visually, by testing their color, hardness, density, and conductivity, for example.

You could use x-ray fluorescence (XRF), mass spectrometry (MS), inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP), atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), colorimetry, or neutron activation (NAA). It all depends on the geological material, the relative concentration, the precision you require, and how many elements (and which elements) you wish to determine as part of the analysis or analyses.

There are many commercial labs all around the world, you could check www.chemex.com, www.sgs.com, www.acmelab.com or www.omaclabs.com for well respected commercial analytical facilities.

2006-08-06 00:49:30 · answer #1 · answered by minefinder 7 · 1 0

A spectrometer is the most acurate way to analyze minerals. It analyzes the light given off by materials when they are heated up.

Certain chemical test (such as acid tests) and measurements of density can also determine chemical constituency of metals.

2006-08-06 00:31:42 · answer #2 · answered by marbledog 6 · 1 0

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