title: Critical evaluation of spiking of low-grade ore samples in activation analysis for gold and uranium.
abstract: In applying non-destructive neutron-activation analysis for gold and uranium in spiked low-grade ore samples, the following extrapolated unspiked concentrations were measured: 0.27(8) +/- 0.01(5) ppm gold (chemical assay: 0.20(2) +/- 0.02(0) ppm gold); 25.1 +/- 1.1 ppm uranium (chemical assay value: 19.5 +/-2.0 ppm uranium). Different approaches to the fitting of results, and the influence of spiking non-uniformity, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Atomic Energy Board Pelindaba, Pretoria, S. Africa.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: de Lange
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: de Wet
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Venter