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
EquipmentFunction
Melt inclusion microscopeAnalysis of trapped melt inclusions in minerals up to 1500oC
UV/VIS fluid inclusion microscopeAnalysis of trapped fluid inclusions in minerals up to 600oC
Infrared fluid inclusion microscopeAnalysis of trapped fluid inclusions in opaque minerals up to 600oC
HydroseparatorSeparation of rare minerals from rocks
Hydrothermal autoclaveSimulation of deep Earth processes
Fluid inclusion gas chromatographAnalysis of volatiles in fluid inclusions
Melt inclusion homogenization furnacePreparation 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