Laboratories
laser tray in the argon lab
The NMBGMR houses state-of-the-art laboratory facilities that serve the analytical needs of the public and support ongoing research efforts of the entire university community.
Sample Testing & Evaluation
As a public service, and on a limited basis, the Bureau does routine identification of rock samples collected in New Mexico and submitted to our laboratories. Each sample is evaluated and major minerals or elements are noted. From the results Bureau mineralogists and geologists can tell if the sample has economic possibilities.
If the sample has possible economic worth, a quantitative analysis by a commercial laboratory may be recommended. This analysis will indicate the amount of a mineral or element present in the sample. The Bureau also will analyze quantitatively rocks or ores, on a limited basis, for the elements gold and silver. A citizen of New Mexico may submit three samples per year to be analyzed at cost.
Water testing for the major and minor inorganic ions is also available at the Bureau. One well-water sample per individual per year will be tested at cost providing that the well is located in New Mexico and information for our files can be obtained regarding location, depth to water, etc. Testing of additional samples is available at commercial laboratories or at the Bureau for a fee. Information on sampling and analyses, including a directory of commercial labs, is available on request. In addition to the water and rock sample analyses mentioned above, New Mexico citizens may also submit up to three clay samples per year for testing at cost by the clay testing lab.
Lab Descriptions
- Chemistry (and water quality analysis)
- The chemistry lab, established in the early 1960s, has expanded to meet needs and stay current with new techniques. The facility features flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption, ion chromatography, and flow injection analytical equipment used to determine inorganic water and rock chemistry.
- Clay Material Testing
- The NMBGMR has facilities to characterize the mineralogy and ceramic properties of clay materials. Testing capabilities include particle-size distribution analyses to measure the amounts of clay, silt and coarser material present; X-ray diffraction analyses to determine the mineralogy of both bulk-rock samples and clay-size material; and leaching tests to measure the amount of insoluble material present.
- Electron Microprobe
- A Cameca SX-100 electron microprobe came online at the bureau in 1996. Unlike bulk chemistry techniques, the electron microprobe is well suited to non-destructive quantitative chemical analysis of very small spots (as small as one micron) on a sample surface. The electron microprobe can also produce fine-scale chemical maps of polished samples, and three-dimensional, high-magnification Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of rough sample surfaces.
- Extractive Metallurgy
- The metallurgy laboratory provides bench scale and pilot-plant scale ore-testing capabilities to aid the minerals industry of the state. This facility has been particularly instrumental in initial evaluation of small prospects and new discoveries, as well as in conducting preliminary test work for process modifications in operating mills. Fire assaying is one of the most frequently requested services provided by this laboratory.
- New Mexico Geochronology Research Laboratory
- The New Mexico Geochronology Research Laboratory, established in 1993, utilizes a variation of the K-Ar (40Ar/39Ar) dating method to determine highly precise ages for rocks and minerals. Rock ages are important to geologic mapping efforts in helping to correlate mappable rock units, and in determining the timing of folding and/or faulting.
- Geothermal Studies
- The geothermal studies laboratory is composed of several temperature-logging systems and a facility to measure the thermal conductivity of rock samples (both core and cuttings) obtained in drilling operations. Ongoing studies throughout New Mexico are investigating subsurface temperatures and the heat coming from the Earth's interior. Results are used in broadly defining geothermal energy resource areas, aiding in the understanding of volcanic and mountain building processes, and more recently in analyzing hydrogeothermal phenomena and ground-water-flow systems.
- Perlite Testing
- The Perlite Lab, established in 1985, is the main perlite testing facility for North America. The lab has a 4" x 40" vertical expansion furnace that is used for basic perlite testing, including perlite density, yield, sinkers, brightness, and others.
- Soils Testing
- The Bureau soils laboratory is equipped to conduct a variety of mechanical and hydraulic tests on soil, sediment, and in some cases rock samples.
- X-ray Facility
- The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses are mainly used to determine the chemical composition of solid materials (including rocks) and identify mineral species, respectively. XRF is a valuable technique as it can analyze a wide range of elements down to low concentrations in almost any solid material. Knowledge of whole rock chemistry helps us to better understand their origin and geological setting.
New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources
New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology
801 Leroy Place
Socorro, NM 87801-4796
information: (575) 835-5420
fax: (575) 835-6333
http://geoinfo.nmt.edu
The New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources is a research and service division of:
