Determination of Gold from Gold Matrix of North Western Nigeria Using ENAA and PIXE Techniques

Abstract

The research paper presents analytical results of Au, Mn and V concentrations of some Nigerian gold ores using two techniques: epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Fourteen samples were collected from gold fields of North Western Nigeria, prepared separately to a scale required by the two techniques, irradiated with a miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR) and an accelerator, and thereafter analyzed. Results show that ENAA is better placed in the analysis of gold while PIXE analyzes Manganese and Titanium better.