Imaging of oxidized mineral surfaces

High-resolution SIMS images in conjunction with elastically backscattered electron and energy-dispersive x-ray images have been acquired from a polished slightly oxidized multiphase polycrystalline surface of Ni-Cu sulphide ore. Through correlation of data acquired by the three methods, the extent to which oxidation occurs is shown to be mineral dependent and related to the presence of macroscopic and microscopic surface heterogeneities.