Interrelation of EDXRF and comparator INAA to analyze REE mineral resources

Joint application of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was considered to determine the contents of sixteen rare earths elements (REE) in the corresponding mineral resources. K series of the majority of REEs was excited by the bremsstrahlung of the X-ray tube operating at accelerating voltage 70 kV, the modified version of a portable X-ray spectrometer is equipped with. A range of ore samples collected from three REE deposits of the Republic of Kazakhstan essentially differing in their elemental composition was investigated. A way of EDXRF and INAA optimum integration to analyze REE resources was proposed taking account of the advantages and drawbacks of both methods.