[RESEARCH NOTE]

Philippine Journal of Science
152 (1): 397-400, February 2023
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 28 Jun 2022

Comparative Study on Determination of Critical
Minerals in Ni Laterites Using Handheld
LIBS, Handheld XRF, and ICP-MS

Cris Reven L. Gibaga1*, Mariel O. Montano1, Jessie O. Samaniego1,
Alexandria M. Tanciongco1, Rico Neil M. Quierrez1,
John Henry C. Gervasio1, Rachelle Clien G. Reyes1,
Monica Joyce V. Peralta1, and George V. Catague Jr.2

1Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute,
Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City 1101 Philippines
2QES Technology Philippines Inc., Alabang, Muntinlupa City 1780 Philippines

*Corresponding author: crlgibaga@pnri.dost.gov.ph

[Download]
Gibaga CR et al. 2023. Comparative Study on Determination of Critical Minerals in Ni
Laterites Using Handheld LIBS, Handheld XRF, and ICP-MS. Philipp J Sci 152(1): 397–400.
https://doi.org/10.56899/152.01.31

 

 

ABSTRACT

Critical minerals (CMs) such as nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) Co, chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) are materials essential to the economy, but the supply is vulnerable to disruption. Ni laterite deposits are considered potential sources of these CMs. In this study, the Ni, Co, Cr, Mn, and Zn contents of 15 Ni laterite samples from Zambales and Surigao were determined using handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (hLIBS) and handheld X-ray fluorescence (hXRF) analyzers. The samples were also analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to compare the handheld analyzers with the established laboratory technique. The two-sided t-tests show no significant differences between the average Ni, Cr, Mn, and Zn results of hLIBS and hXRF with respect to ICP-MS. The average hXRF result of Co significantly differs from ICP-MS, whereas hLIBS has no significant difference from ICPMS. Therefore, hLIBS and hXRF can be used to determine the Ni, Cr, Mn, and Zn contents in laterites, whereas hLIBS can be utilized to determine the Co values of laterites. Both hLIBS and hXRF analyzers can be for CM exploration of Ni laterite deposits.