TruScan Archives - International Mining

This week, in Boise, Idaho, Idaho Copper Corporation commenced a critical next step in its business plan, deploying Veracio’s TruScan mobile scanning unit to begin analysing over 60,000 ft (18,288 m) of drill core.

In a warehouse holding this core, Veracio will begin digital scanning and measuring the metal grades associated with this core, which has been pulled from the CuMo project over the past 20 years.

The TruScan mobile scanning unit contains sophisticated software and XRF (X-ray Fluorescence ) scanning equipment that analyses drill core on as small as 15 mm intervals to detect and measure copper and molybdenum grades. XRF technology is non-destructive and works by measuring the fluorescent (or secondary) X-ray emitted from a solid material sample when it is exposed to a primary X-ray source. Each of the elements present in a sample produces a set of characteristic fluorescent X-rays that is unique for that specific element.

The company will use this data to confirm previous laboratory analyses of the metal distribution within the core, and compare the detailed scan results with previous studies. The results will then be used to determine potential ore sorting parameters in an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA), and to select various bulk core samples for detailed metallurgical and ore sorting studies.

The ultimate goal of this exercise is to reduce the overall mill size and significantly increase mill feed grades, which the company expects will translate into lower capital costs and higher profitability for the project.

Idaho Copper Corporation is a mineral exploration and development company focused on exploring and developing a copper-molybdenum-silver deposit in Idaho. The CuMo project currently consists of 126 federal unpatented lode mining claims, and six patented mining claims. In total, the project comprises approximately 2,640 acres (1,068 ha).

Boart Longyear says its onsite core and chip scanning technology, TruScan™, recently received the Premier’s Award in the Mining Equipment, Technology, and Services sector for Excellence in Innovation: Productivity Improvement at a ceremony in Adelaide, Australia.

The awards, presented during the Premier’s Awards ceremony on November 30, are organised by the Government of South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining, and recognise areas of excellence by leading resources and energy sector companies and organisations in the areas of diversity, working with communities, and innovation, Boart says.

Peter Kanck, Senior Manager of Technology Development & Integration, who accepted the award on behalf of Boart Longyear, said: “It’s an honour to be part of this exciting technology and to see TruScan recognised for the positive impact it is making on the mining community.”

TruScan is able to scan and photograph a full tray of core and provide geochemical data within 25 minutes of the core being brought out of the ground, Boart says. Normally, analysis involves collecting core on pallets, transporting it to the laboratory, and then the laboratory schedules the core for analysis. Once core analysis is complete, the results are returned back to the geologist, which can take days to months.

“Because TruScan delivers geological data results onsite the same day, the turnaround is dramatically shortened and substantial cost savings are realised for both exploration and mining companies,” Boart says.

TruScan is already being used in exploration activities in Australia and Canada with plans to roll out in other parts of the world.

Boart offers TruScan as an independent service to mining clients or the technology can be bundled as a part of a drilling services agreement.

Idaho Copper Corp puts Veracio TruScan drill core scanning tool to work

Boart Longyear’s TruScan receives plaudits at South Australia awards ceremony