5
with your name, project, date, and purpose of sampling is
stored in the box where the sample was taken from.
Some general precautions in sampling include the fol-
lowing. All equipment should be cleaned to prevent cross-
contamination of the sample. Sampling tools (buckets,
sampling bags, shovels, trowels, and sieves) should be con-
structed of materials suitable for environmental sampling
(typically stainless steel, plastic, or aluminum). Devices
plated with chrome or other materials should not be used
as they can introduce contaminants to the samples. All
equipment used for sampling should be rinsed with deion-
ized water and air-dried prior to use. Wear disposable gloves
while sieving to avoid contamination.
The samples are transported from the field to
NMBGMR, where each sample is prepared for analyses.
Selected samples are cut and chips sent for preparation of
polished thin sections. The prepared samples are then sent
to a laboratory for chemical analyses. NMBGMR standards
are submitted blind to the commercial laboratory with each
sample batch to assure analytical quality.
Geochemical Analyses
Geochemical data are a critical part of geologic mapping and
for evaluation for critical mineral resources. Geochemical
analyses of samples collected for this study were determined
by ALS Laboratory (description of methods can be found
at ALS Geochemistry Fee Schedule USD (2).pdf and in
future reports), SGS, and University of Kentucky. Samples
were submitted to the laboratories where sample prepara-
tion occurred. Duplicate samples and standards were ana-
lyzed and uncertainty of analyses is generally 5%. Selected
samples were submitted to another laboratory to check
analytical accuracy. Coal samples sent to SGS were ashed
at 2900 degrees F and at University of Kentucky at 500
degrees F. Specific analytical methods for each element and
additional quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
are available on request. Chemical plots were created using
ioGAS-64 (ioGAS™ -REFLEX (reflexnow.com). Chemical
analyses will be presented in future reports.
Petrography and Mineralogy
Hand sample descriptions of hand samples and thin sec-
tions were entered into the project’s SQLS database.
Polished thin sections of selected samples of the igneous,
altered, and mineralized rocks were made by Quality Thin
Sections. Thin sections were scanned in both plane and
plane polarized light, and selected photomicrographs were
taken. Mineralogy of selected samples was determined by
visual and petrographic, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and elec-
tron microprobe methods.
X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed
on either whole rock or mineral separates performed
on a PANalytical X- Pert PRO ® diffractometer at the
NMBGMR X-ray Diffraction Laboratory. Analyses were
conducted using 45 kV X-ray beam tension and 40 mA
X-ray beam current. XRD scans were identified using X’Pert
HighScore Plus ® software, which identifies intensity peaks
and matches patterns to a Powder Diffraction File database.
XRD data will be available in the final report. Petrographic
descriptions, including mineralogy and texture, of thin sec-
tions using plane, plane polarized, and reflective light were
entered into the SQLS database.
RESULTS
Mineralogy
Common minerals hosting the critical minerals in these
coal samples include quartz, clay minerals, zircon, and
rutile/anatase, as determined from petrographic and XRD
analyses.
Chemistry
Some chemical plots of the TREE and Sc in coal samples
from the San Juan and Raton Basins are in Figures 4–9.
CONCLUSIONS
• Total REE is higher in coal samples with higher ash
content.
• Concentrations of total REE in coal ash exceed 1000
ppm (the DOE suggested economic threshold) in two
coal fields: La Plata mine in the Fruitland Formation
(2103 ppm total REE) and the Crownpoint field
(1684 ppm).
Figure 4. REE in coal ash in the San Juan and Raton Basins.
See Figure 2 and Table 1 for names of coal fields
with your name, project, date, and purpose of sampling is
stored in the box where the sample was taken from.
Some general precautions in sampling include the fol-
lowing. All equipment should be cleaned to prevent cross-
contamination of the sample. Sampling tools (buckets,
sampling bags, shovels, trowels, and sieves) should be con-
structed of materials suitable for environmental sampling
(typically stainless steel, plastic, or aluminum). Devices
plated with chrome or other materials should not be used
as they can introduce contaminants to the samples. All
equipment used for sampling should be rinsed with deion-
ized water and air-dried prior to use. Wear disposable gloves
while sieving to avoid contamination.
The samples are transported from the field to
NMBGMR, where each sample is prepared for analyses.
Selected samples are cut and chips sent for preparation of
polished thin sections. The prepared samples are then sent
to a laboratory for chemical analyses. NMBGMR standards
are submitted blind to the commercial laboratory with each
sample batch to assure analytical quality.
Geochemical Analyses
Geochemical data are a critical part of geologic mapping and
for evaluation for critical mineral resources. Geochemical
analyses of samples collected for this study were determined
by ALS Laboratory (description of methods can be found
at ALS Geochemistry Fee Schedule USD (2).pdf and in
future reports), SGS, and University of Kentucky. Samples
were submitted to the laboratories where sample prepara-
tion occurred. Duplicate samples and standards were ana-
lyzed and uncertainty of analyses is generally 5%. Selected
samples were submitted to another laboratory to check
analytical accuracy. Coal samples sent to SGS were ashed
at 2900 degrees F and at University of Kentucky at 500
degrees F. Specific analytical methods for each element and
additional quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
are available on request. Chemical plots were created using
ioGAS-64 (ioGAS™ -REFLEX (reflexnow.com). Chemical
analyses will be presented in future reports.
Petrography and Mineralogy
Hand sample descriptions of hand samples and thin sec-
tions were entered into the project’s SQLS database.
Polished thin sections of selected samples of the igneous,
altered, and mineralized rocks were made by Quality Thin
Sections. Thin sections were scanned in both plane and
plane polarized light, and selected photomicrographs were
taken. Mineralogy of selected samples was determined by
visual and petrographic, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and elec-
tron microprobe methods.
X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed
on either whole rock or mineral separates performed
on a PANalytical X- Pert PRO ® diffractometer at the
NMBGMR X-ray Diffraction Laboratory. Analyses were
conducted using 45 kV X-ray beam tension and 40 mA
X-ray beam current. XRD scans were identified using X’Pert
HighScore Plus ® software, which identifies intensity peaks
and matches patterns to a Powder Diffraction File database.
XRD data will be available in the final report. Petrographic
descriptions, including mineralogy and texture, of thin sec-
tions using plane, plane polarized, and reflective light were
entered into the SQLS database.
RESULTS
Mineralogy
Common minerals hosting the critical minerals in these
coal samples include quartz, clay minerals, zircon, and
rutile/anatase, as determined from petrographic and XRD
analyses.
Chemistry
Some chemical plots of the TREE and Sc in coal samples
from the San Juan and Raton Basins are in Figures 4–9.
CONCLUSIONS
• Total REE is higher in coal samples with higher ash
content.
• Concentrations of total REE in coal ash exceed 1000
ppm (the DOE suggested economic threshold) in two
coal fields: La Plata mine in the Fruitland Formation
(2103 ppm total REE) and the Crownpoint field
(1684 ppm).
Figure 4. REE in coal ash in the San Juan and Raton Basins.
See Figure 2 and Table 1 for names of coal fields