Mineral Exploration and Ore Fluids Laboratory

Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
What the facility does

Microanalysis of Earth materials, specializing in precious metals.

Areas of expertise

The lab uses a unique combination of state-of-the-art microanalytical tools to analyze trapped ore fluids in precious-metal deposits with the aim of developing novel exploration criteria to locate hidden mineral resources in Canada.

Research services
  • Mineral and fluid inclusion microanalysis
  • Microthermometry
  • Infrared and ultraviolet microscopy
  • Geological modeling
  • Trace-element analysis
Sectors of application
  • Energy
  • Mining, minerals and metals

Equipment

Function

Melt inclusion microscope

Analysis of trapped melt inclusions in minerals up to 1500oC

UV/VIS fluid inclusion microscope

Analysis of trapped fluid inclusions in minerals up to 600oC

Infrared fluid inclusion microscope

Analysis of trapped fluid inclusions in opaque minerals up to 600oC

Hydroseparator

Separation of rare minerals from rocks

Hydrothermal autoclave

Simulation of deep Earth processes

Fluid inclusion gas chromatograph

Analysis of volatiles in fluid inclusions

Melt inclusion homogenization furnace

Preparation of samples for analysis
  • Vale Canada
  • KGHM International
  • Terrane Metals Corp.
  • NewGold Incorporated
  • Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust
  • Government of Canada
  • Geoscience Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
  • Impala Platinum
  • Laurentian University
  • University of Toronto