Successful completion will allow mapping of variations in ash percentage, ash composition, sulphur and phosphorus in coal seams at a much higher spatial resolution than available from conventional sampling programs, and provide an improved basis for rapid but relatively comprehensive coal quality assessment in mine geology and resource evaluation programs.
Coals with a wide range of compositional parameters have been prepared and independently analysed to develop an extended series of calibration curves and equations for both types of core scanning instruments.
Scans have been carried out with the laboratory-based system using different sampling increments and measuring times, to identify appropriate balances between spatial resolution, measurement precision at low concentrations, and the time and cost of core-scanner analysis.
Scanning has also been carried out on these and other cores using a handheld XRF analyser, to establish optimum scanning times and procedures for different elements and applications.
