Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis method and instrumentation for copper grade estimation in large diameter blast holes

A spectrometric prompt gamma neutron activation analysis logging system and a method of data handling and interpretation have been developed at CSIRO, Exploration and Mining for copper grade estimation in large diameter blast holes of the Chuquicamata open-cut copper mine in Chile. Since the development, the logging system has been extensively tested at a number of open-cut and underground copper mines and has proven its viability for quantitative copper grade estimation in boreholes.