THE FIRE ASSAY PRECONCENTRATION OF THE PLATINUM-GROUP ELEMENTS FOR THE NEUTRON-ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIAL

This paper describes the work that has been carried out using neutron activation analysis (NAA) to develop a rapid and reliable method for t he determination of the platinum group elements (PGE: Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh, and Os) and Au in geological, environmental and industrial samples . The method is based on the now established method of preconcentratio n with fire assay, followed by NAA of the separated PGE and Au. Recent developments have seen improvements in the technique to eliminate los ses due to dissolution procedures, and complete recovery of the elemen ts prior to analysis. The method is now being used to validate inducti vely coupled plasma-mass spectrometry methods for analysis of the PGE.