Application of the portable infrared mineral analyser (PIMA) in mineral mapping in the Qulong copper prospect, Mozhugongka County Tibet

The portable infrared mineral analyser (PIMA) introduced from abroad two years ago was used in mineral mapping in the Qulong copper prospect, Tibet, and minerals were recognized based on the spectral data obtained by PIMA analysis. In this study, two trenches, TC0701 and TC1101, were systemically sampled. The tested spectral data were processed by the PIMA VIEW 3.1, and comparison of the results of mineral discrimination with the field investigation information indicates that anhydrite is an alteration indicator mineral directly related to copper mineralization and orebodies. In addition, in the process of mineral discrimination, pure spectra of minerals such as muscovite that may be used as the standard spectra in the copper prospect were obtained. The existence of the scattered alteration mineral chlorite which is interpreted from the Hyperion data has been confirmed in the course of field checks.