Microanalytical techniques for characterising critical metal deportment in mine materials

Critical metals including indium, antimony, lithium and cobalt are used extensively by the high‐technology and advanced manufacturing industries. Whilst commonly produced as byproducts from mining and refining of mainstream commodities (e.g., Zn, Au, Cu) increasing demand for critical metals necessitates improved understanding of their tenor and deportment in ores and waste materials. This case study demonstrates the application of microanalytical techniques, including laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA‐ICPMS) and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), for investigating critical metal content and distribution in mine wastes from the historical Spray Pb‐Ag Mine, Tasmania, Australia. Mean concentrations of indium (up to 910 ppm), Sb (up to 1,714 ppm) and Ag (up to 1,503 ppm) in sphalerite, galena and pyrite suggest potential for re‐mining historically processed waste materials. The integrated application of portable LIBS analysers and other microanalytical tools enables redefinition of solid and processed by‐products as potential commodities of critical metals, therefore reducing long‐term environmental costs, and generating additional revenue.