Future microanalytical needs in minerals research

This paper presents some of the microanalytical problems and challenges in minerals research and the geosciences in general. It deals with the evolvin g possibilities for advanced analysis in the geological end mineralogical f ield, with emphasis on ion-beam based techniques. The geosciences have a la rge array of analytical techniques that they rely on, but there are still a number of areas where problems persist. The different analytical technique s have also been more complementary than competitive up to now, but this is set to change as new techniques evolve and are optimized. The strengths an d weaknesses of ion-beam techniques are highlighted, with emphasis on miner als characterization.