The assay of zinc in mining concentrates is a critical step in the mining industry as it determines the economic value of a mining project. The analysis of zinc is typically performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. These methods offer working ranges from parts per million to percent levels of zinc, depending on the complexity of the sample. Accurate and precise results are crucial for decision-making and determining the commercial value of a mining project. Sample preparation is a critical step in the zinc assay process as interferences from other elements present in the sample can affect the accuracy of the results. Thus, a thorough understanding of the sample matrix and appropriate sample preparation techniques are essential to ensure accurate and reliable results. The accuracy and precision of the zinc assay are vital to provide reliable information to stakeholders in the mining industry.

XERTEK applies the methodology in zinc assay according to the expected zinc content of the concentrate, as follows:

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS): It involves the measurement of the absorption of light by atoms in the gas phase. Our working range for zinc assay by AAS is typically between 0.01% to 5%.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES): ICP-OES: is another widely used method for the analysis of metals in concentrates. It involves the excitation of atoms in the plasma state and the measurement of the emitted light. Our working range for zinc assay by ICP-OES goes from 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm

Titration: The method is based on a chemical reaction between the substance of interest and a reagent. The most common titration method for zinc assay is the EDTA titration method, which has a working range between 5% to 70%.

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF): XRF is a non-destructive analytical method that involves the measurement of the fluorescence emitted by a sample when exposed to X-rays. The working range for zinc assay by XRF is typically between more than 70% and 100%.