320 
APPENDICES 
APPENDIX A: Particle size distribution graphs 
 
 
Figure 9.1 Particle size distributions for sample H 
 
 
Figure 9.2 Particle size distributions for sample D 
 321 
 
Figure 9.3 Particle size distributions for LMC QC 03 concentrate sample 
 
 
Figure 9.4 Particle size distributions for LMC QC 03 concentrate sample 
 
 322 
 
Figure 9.5 Particle size distributions for AMB MER QC O1 concentrate sample 
 
 
Figure 9.6 Particle size distributions for PPC QC 02 concentrate sample 
 
 323 
 
Figure 9.7 Particles size distribution for Sample D1 
 
Figure 9.8 Sample size distributions for sample E 
 324 
 
Figure 9.9 Particle size distributions for sample D2 
 
Figure 9.10 Particle size distributions for Sample I 
 325 
 
Figure 9.11 Particle size distributions for Sample J 
 
Figure 9.12 Particle size distributions for sample G 
 
 326 
 
Figure 9.13 Particle size distributions for sample F 
 
Figure 9.14 Particle size distributions for sample C3 
 327 
 
Figure 9.15 Particle size distributions for sample B2 
 
Figure 9.16 Particle size distributions for sample B2 
 328 
 
Figure 9.17 Particle size distributions for sample B3 
 
Figure 9.18 Particle size distributions for sample B4 
 329 
 
Figure 9.19 Particle size distributions for sample A1 
 
Figure 9.20 Particle size distributions for sample A2 
 
 330 
 
Figure 9.21 Particle size distributions for sample A4 
 
Figure 9.22 Particle size distributions for sample B 
 331 
 
Figure 9.23 Particle size distributions for sample B1 
 
Figure 9.24 Particle size distributions for sample D3 
 332 
 
Figure 9.25 Particle size distribution for sample A 
 
 
Figure 9.26 Particle size distributions for sample C1 
 
 333 
 
Figure 9.27 Particle size distributions for sample C2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 334 
APPENDIX B: Platinum group metals and gold wavelengths? sensitivity 
and interferences 
1. Iridium 
 
Figure 9.28 Iridium 224.268 
Table 9.1 Iridium 228 wavelength sensitivity and interferences 
Elements Sensitivity Interference 
Ir 224.268 150.0 Cu, Pb 
Cu 224.261 60.0  
Nb 224.258 4.0  
 
Comment 
Iridium 224.268 was the only iridium wavelength that showed a peak. The other 
three recommended Iridium lines had no peaks. However, there was serious 
copper and palladium interference at this wavelength. 
 
 335 
2. Osmium 
 
Figure 9.29 Osmium 228.226 wavelength 
Table 9.2 Osmium 228.226 wavelength sensitivity and interference 
Element Sensitivity Interference 
Os 228.226 310.0 Ta, Pd 
Ta 228.219 6.0  
Pd 228.210 1.5  
 
Comment 
Best Osmium line obtained. The sensitivity of the two interfering elements is way 
too low to be of significance relative to the sensitivity of osmium 228.226. 
 
 
 
 336 
3. Paladium 
 
Figure 9.30 Palladium 229.653 wavelength 
Table 9.3 Palladium 229.653 wavelength sensitivity and interference 
Element Sensitivity Interference 
Pd 342.124 360.0 Rh, Ni 
Rh 342.122 6.0  
Ni 342.134 5.5  
 
Comment  
Best line obtained for palladium metal, high sensitivity with good peaks and less 
interference. 
 
 
 337 
4. Platinum  
 
Figure 9.31 Platinum 224.551 wavelength 
Table 9.4 Platinum 224.551 wavelength sensitivity and interference 
Element Sensitivity Interference 
Pt 224.551 48.0 Ba 225.561 
Co 224.513 60.0  
Ba 224.561 6.0  
 
Comment  
Excellent platinum peaks but low sensitivity hence not a very good peak for use. 
 
 338 
 
Figure 9.32 Platinum 265.945 wavelength 
Table 9.5 Platinum 265.945 wavelength sensitivity and interference 
Element Sensitivity Interference 
Pt 265.945 230.0 U 
U 265.946 2.5  
Os 265.983 6.0  
 
Comment 
Best Platinum line obtained with a good sensitivity and less interference. 
However, the sample peaks, A3,0.2 and C,0.2 were not evident. The line produced 
good sample recovery percentage for platinum metal. 
 
 
 
 339 
 
5. Rhodium  
 
Figure 9.33 Rhodium 343.489 wavelength 
Table 9.6 Rhodium 343.489 wavelength sensitivity and interference 
Element Sensitivity Interference 
Rh 343.489 710.0 Mo 
Mo 343.479 11.0  
 
Comment 
Good rhodium line with a high sensitivity and less interference. The sensitivity of 
molybdenum 343.479 line relative to that of rhodium wavelength renders its 
interference negligible. 
 
 
 340 
6. Ruthenium 
 
Figure 9.34 Ruthenium 187.534 wavelength 
Table 8.7 Ruthenium 187.534 wavelength sensitivity and interference 
Element Sensitivity Interference 
Ru 187.534 9000.0 Non  
 
Comment  
Ruthenium 187.534 was the best wavelength obtained for ruthenium metal with 
very high sensitivity and no interference. However, the peaks obtained were low 
especially for the samples, A2,0.2 and C, 0.2. 
 341 
 
Figure 9.37 Ruthenium 267.876 wavelength 
Table 9.8 Ruthenium 267.876 wavelength sensitivity and interference 
Element  Sensitivity Interference 
Ru 267.876  Nb, Ta 
Nb 267.876 40.0  
Ta 267.880  
 
Comment 
Nb and Ta enhances ruthenium 267.876 peak hence this wavelength was not used. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 342 
APPENDIX C: Platinum group metals and gold wavelengths (scans) 
Table 9.9 Description of samples 
Sample Reagents  
A 0.2g soil sample, 5mL Conc HNO3 (55%), 95 mL 0.05% Na4P2O7 
B 0.2g soil sample, 5mL Conc HNO3 (55%), 95 mL 0.05% Na4P2O7 
 
Table 9.10 KEY describing the symbols used 
Symbol Description 
Bkfm Blank (5mL HNO3, 95mL 0.05% Na4P2O7); fm - fast mode strategy 
Bkm Blank (5mL HNO3, 95mL 0.05% Na4P2O7); m - manual strategy 
0.25fm 0.25 ppm specpure calibration standard containg 5mL HNO3, 95mL 0.05% 
Na4P2O7; fm ? fast mode strategy. 
0.25m 0.25 ppm specpure calibration standard containg 5mL HNO3, 95mL 0.05% 
Na4P2O7; m ? manual strategy 
0.5m 0.5 ppm specpure calibration standard containg 5mL HNO3, 95mL 0.05% 
Na4P2O7; m ? manual strategy 
0.5fm 0.5 ppm specpure calibration standard containg 5mL HNO3, 95mL 0.05% 
Na4P2O7; fm ? fast mode strategy 
A2m Sample A; m ? manual mode strategy. 
B2mu Sample B; m ? manual mode strategy 
B2Se Sample B; Se ? sensitive mode strategy 
 
 
 343 
Osmium 228.226 
 
Figure 9.36 Osmium 228.226 wavelength 
8. Paladium 342.124 
 
Figure 9.37 Palladium 342.124 wavelength 
 
 
 344 
9.Rhodium 343.489 
 
Figure 9.38 Rhodium 343.489 wavelength 
Platinum 224.551 
 
Figure 8.39 Platinum 224.551 wavelength 
 
 
 345 
Rhodium 369.240 
 
Figure 9.40 Rhodium 369.240 wavelength 
Paladium 340.450 
 
Figure 9.41 Palladium 340.458 wavelength 
 
 346 
Ruthenium 187.584 
 
Figure 9.42 Ruthenium 187.584 wavelength 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 347 
APPENDIX D: Base metals (Co, Ni, Cu and Fe) selected wavelength 
peaks 
 
Figure 8.43 Cobalt 228.615 wavelength 
 
Figure 9.44 Cobalt 237.662 wavelength 
 348 
 
Figure 9.45 Iron 262.567 wavelength 
 
 
Figure 9.46 Nickel 232.003 wavelength 
 349 
 
Figure 9.47 Nickel 221.648 wavelength 
 
 
Figure 9.48 Copper 219.226 wavelength 
 350 
 
Figure 9.49 Copper 224.700 wavelength 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 351 
APPENDIX E: Standard additioin calibration curves for PGMs and gold 
 
Rh 343.489
 y = 36422x + 914.72 = (12.56), (113.43%)
 -2000
 0
 2000
 4000
 6000
 8000
 10000
 12000
 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 ns
 ity
  
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.50 Standard addition calibration line for gold 191.948 
Au 191.948
 y = 26572x + 193.51 = (3.64), (86.29%)
 -2000
 -1000
 0
 1000
 2000
 3000
 4000
 5000
 6000
 7000
 8000
 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 ns
 ity
  
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.51 Standard addition calibration line for Au 191.948 LUC QC 02 
 352 
Au191.948 LUC QC02 (standard)
 y = 4286.9x + 32.587 = (3.8) (86.36%)
 -400
 -200
 0
 200
 400
 600
 800
 1000
 1200
 1400
 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 sit
 y 
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.52 Standard addition calibration line for Au 191.948 LUC QC02 
Pd 340.458 Dissolved LUC QC02 (standard)
 y = 35938x + 5182.4 = (72.10%)
 0
 2000
 4000
 6000
 8000
 10000
 12000
 14000
 16000
 -0.15 -0.1 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 ns
 ity
  
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.53 Standard addition calibration line for Pd 340.458 LUC QC 02 
 353 
Pt 265.945 AMD MER (manual)
 y = 6752.6x + 1001.5 = (74.16) (84.01%)
 0
 500
 1000
 1500
 2000
 2500
 3000
 -0.15 -0.1 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 si
 ty
  
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.54 Standard addition calibration line for Pt 265.945 AMD MER QC 01 
Ir 212.681 AMD MER (standard)
 y = 13272x + 112.23 = (4.23) (116.8%)
 0
 500
 1000
 1500
 2000
 2500
 3000
 3500
 4000
 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 si
 ty
  
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.55 Standard addition calibration line for Ir 212.681 AMD MER QC 01 
 354 
Rh 240.272 AMD MER (standard)
 y = 20977x + 358.74 = (8.551) (81.21%)
 -2000
 -1000
 0
 1000
 2000
 3000
 4000
 5000
 6000
 7000
 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 si
 ty
  
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.56 Standard addition calibration line for Rh 240.272 AMD MER QC 01 
Ru349.894 AMD MER (standard)
 y = 15816x + 297.06 = (9.39) (63.93%)
 -1000
 0
 1000
 2000
 3000
 4000
 5000
 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 ns
 ity
  
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.57 Standard addition calibration line for Ru349.894 AMD MER QC 01 
 355 
Ru 349.894 AMD MER (standard)
 y = 13793x + 431.93 = (15.66) (100.1%)
 -500
 0
 500
 1000
 1500
 2000
 2500
 3000
 3500
 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25
 Conc (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 s
 ity
  
(cp
 s
 )
  
Figure 9.58 Standard addition calibration line for Ru 349.894 AMD MER QC 01 
Pt265.945 LMC QC03 (standard)
 y = 7176.4x + 876.06 = (61.038)
 -500
 0
 500
 1000
 1500
 2000
 2500
 3000
 -0.15 -0.1 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 sit
 y 
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.59 Standard addition calibration line for Pt 265.945 LMC QC 03 
 356 
Ru349.894 PPC QC02 (manual)
 y = 14265x + 150.4 = (5.27) (112%)
 -500
 0
 500
 1000
 1500
 2000
 2500
 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 sit
 y 
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.60 Standard addition calibration line for Ru 349.894 PPC QC02 
Rh 343.489 (standard) LUC QC 02
 y = 23999x + 1488.8 = (31.02) (99.74%)
 -2000
 -1000
 0
 1000
 2000
 3000
 4000
 5000
 6000
 7000
 8000
 -0.1 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 sit
 y 
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.61 Standard addition calibration line for Rh 343.489 LUC QC 02 
 357 
Pd 340.458 (standard) LUC QC 02
 y = 41801x + 5912.9 = (70.73)
 0
 2000
 4000
 6000
 8000
 10000
 12000
 14000
 16000
 18000
 -0.15 -0.1 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
 Concentration (ppm)
 In
 te
 n
 sit
 y 
(cp
 s)
  
Figure 9.62 Standard addition calibration line for Pd 340.458LUC QC 02