PANalytical Boulder, (formerly ASD Inc.) developer of high-performance near-infrared (NIR) analytical instrumentation and material analysis solutions, today introduced the ASD TerraSpec Halo mineral identifier, a handheld, full-range NIR spectrometer designed to transform the mineral exploration industry.
An exploration geologist uses the TerraSpec Halo to identify minerals in the field (Photo: Business Wire)
At 4.5 pounds (2.0 kilograms), the Halo identifier represents the lightest and fastest all-in-one NIR instrument available for exploration geology. With one pull of the trigger, this ground-breaking instrument delivers mineralogy results in less than 20 seconds, which significantly speeds site exploration efforts and ultimately saves mine operations valuable time and money. The TerraSpec Halo instrument is the latest introduction to the already well-known and trusted TerraSpec line of instrumentation from PANalytical Boulder.
“Until now, NIR mineral analysis instruments required an experienced geologist using heavier equipment, cabling and multiple devices,” said Chris Sherry, senior market manager at PANalytical Boulder. “The ASD TerraSpec Halo mineral identifier brings needed efficiency to the field by removing weight and complexity to give real time mineral information.”
Ease-of-use features for the TerraSpec Halo instrument include:
- Simple mineral data capture and handling
- Onboard GPS
- Voice recording capability
- Multiple languages for onboard software and user manual
- Extensive spectral library
- Immediate multi-mineral results and scalars
- No third-party hardware
The instrument also includes a proprietary mineral prediction software program that pulls data from a constantly expanding, multi-continent mineral library sourced from the world’s top public and private databases. Geologists can work with PANalytical technicians to design their own libraries as well, further customizing Halo to meet unique needs. New software allows for improved spectra management with simple spectra naming protocols, easy data organization, validation and tagging, and simple data export tools to port data to third-party software like The Spectral Geologist (TSG®), Leapfrog and others.
“The advent of the first NIR spectrometers changed how geologists take measurements in the field, define their environments, and use that information to make big-picture decisions that drive mining operations and investment,” said Michael Lands, VP of sales and marketing, PANalytical Boulder. “The Halo mineral identifier will have a similar impact on how the industry conducts research and builds models to make better, faster and more cost-effective decisions based on mineralogy.”
In addition to providing field geologists with real-time information and quicker delineation of alteration halos or clay species delineation, the device can be used in the core shack or on the rig for faster core and drill chip analysis, and in production environments for field confirmation, ore grade control and other purposes. For more information about the ASD TerraSpec Halo, please visit www.asdi.com.
About PANalytical Boulder
PANalytical Boulder, formerly ASD Inc., is the global leader in high-performance analytical instrumentation solutions, solving some of the most challenging real-world materials measurement problems. PANalytical’s NIR spectrometers — unparalleled in providing laboratory-grade results in the field or on-site — are the instruments of choice for remote sensing, environmental sciences, agricultural, mining, pharmaceutical and pulp and paper industry applications, where results drive paradigm-changing insights, efficiency and profit.
Visit www.asdi.com for more information about PANalytical Boulder.
PANalytical is the world’s leading supplier of analytical instrumentation and software for X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The materials characterization equipment is used for scientific research and development, for industrial process control applications and for semiconductor metrology.
During the last decade PANalytical has added a variety of other analysis techniques to their product portfolio. Optical emission spectrometry (OBLF GmbH, Germany), pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (Sodern, France) and near-infrared (ASD Inc.) capabilities together with XRD and XRF can provide customers with tailor-made analytical solutions for the characterization of a wide range of products such as cement, metals, nanomaterials, polymers and many more.
PANalytical’s headquarters are in Almelo, the Netherlands. Fully equipped application laboratories are established in Japan, China, the USA, and the Netherlands. PANalytical’s research activities are based in Almelo (NL) and on the campus of the University of Sussex in Brighton (UK). Supply and competence centers are located on two sites in the Netherlands: Almelo (development and production of X-ray instruments) and Eindhoven (development and production of X-ray tubes) and in Boulder, USA (development and production of near-infrared instruments). A sales and service network in more than 60 countries ensures unrivalled levels of customer support.
The company is certified in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.