Because a LIBS Map is Worth a Thousand Words in Metallogeny ...

Metallogeny and metallurgy works require detail understanding of ore. Thin section observation is the benchmark geologist- and metallurgist- tool in assessing detail mineralogical works. However, observations remain qualitative. Recent advances in computer and laser technologies allow now efficient Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) mapping of rocks. Laser induced plasma promotes emission-ray of chemical elements occurring at impacted point. Scanning the rock polished section allows therefore mapping of surfaces. We are presenting results obtained with a new laser based spectrometry-system. The method is compatible with standard microscopy systems for imaging and quantifying elemental distributions in geological materials with ppmscale. Spatial resolution reaches 10*10 mu m(2)/pixel. Results come from copper-Magnetite-gold-silver skarn from Quesnel Trough in British Columbia (Canada). A core slice was simply polished prior to LIBS scanning. Spatial resolution reaches 30*30 mu m. Each impacted point corresponds to a pixel. Data sets include all emission-rays recorded at each impact point defining a chemical cube. Thematic map presented allows viewing copper enrichment processes related to late calcium-bearing fracture filling. Copper appears leached from chalcopyrite leaving behind barren-pyrite within chalcopyrite fractures. Queries allow browsing the dataset creating high resolution chemical-map. Thematic maps are therefore available according to subject of interests. LIBS has considerable advantaged on X-ray based technologies and that is capabilities in probing light chemical-elements. Thus, that allows metal-ligand mapping, a powerful metallogenic tool.