Mobile Laboratory for the Physical, Mineralogical and Chemical Characterization of Rocks (LAMROC)

Université du Québec - Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Québec, Québec
What the facility does

Multiparameter analysis of drill cores

Areas of expertise

LAMROC is a mobile lab that enables non-destructive, high-resolution spatial measurement of various drill core parameters (density, magnetic susceptibility, geochemistry, mineralogy). Its semiautomatic system also allows the acquisition of continuous drill core images. The goal is to make full use of drill cores, by deriving as much information as possible for geophysical, geological, mining exploration and environmental applications. The lab obtains profiles of the various parameters, depending on the drill depth, and this information enables improvements such as better separation of lithologies (especially for altered and fine-grain rock) and detection and measurement of hydrothermal alteration and mineralization. Measurements are taken directly at the sites where the drill cores are stored, or the cores can be sent to Quebec City for analysis.

Research services

Multiparameter analysis of drill cores, Earth science research

Sectors of application
  • Energy
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Mining, minerals and metals
Equipment Function
System for multiparameter analysis of drill cores Multiparameter drill core analyses
RS-230 natural gamma spectrometer Measuring of K, eTh and eU on outcrops
Two (2) Olympus Innov-X Delta Premium handheld XRF analysers Measuring of 20 to 25 chemical elements on rocks and sediments
ASD Inc. LabSpec near infrared and visible spectrometer Enables detection and semiquantification of numerous minerals, primarily those produced by hydrothermal alteration.
  • Ministère des Ressources naturelles (Québec)
  • Ressources Cogitore Inc
  • Forages Chibougamau
  • Xstrata Zinc Canada
  • Donner Metals Ltd.
Title URL
A multi-sensor logger for rock cores: Methodology and preliminary results from the Matagami mining camp, Canada http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2013.01.002
LAMROC among the 100 best innovations in the mining sector http://www.ete.inrs.ca/actualites/le-lamroc-parmi-les-100-meilleures-innovations-du-secteur-minier
Improving lithological discrimination in exploration drill-cores using portable X-ray fluorescence measurements: (1) testing three Olympus Innov-X analysers on unprepared cores http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/geochem2012-163
Improving lithological discrimination in exploration drill-cores using portable X-ray fluorescence measurements: (2) applications to the Zn-Cu Matagami mining camp, Canada http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/geochem2012-164
Portable X-ray fluorescence measurements on exploration drill cores: comparing performance on unprepared cores and powders for “whole-rock” analysis