Singular value decomposition approach to the yttrium occurrence in mineral maps of rare earth element ores using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used in analysis of rare earth element (REE) ores from the geological formation of Norra Karr Alkaline Complex in southern Sweden. Yttrium has been detected in eudialyte (Na-15 Ca-6(Fe,Mn)(3) Zr3Si(Si26O73)(O,OH,H2O)(3) (OH,CI)(2)) and catapleiite (Ca/Na2ZrSi3O9 center dot 2H(2)O). Singular value decomposition (SVD) has been employed in classification of the minerals in the rock samples and maps representing the mineralogy in the sampled area have been constructed. Based on the SVD classification the percentage of the yttrium-bearing ore minerals can be calculated even in fine-grained rock samples. (C) 2017 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.