OREAS 683b

OREAS 683b is a copper–nickel–platinum group element (PGE) certified
reference material (CRM) prepared from a blend of PGE-rich ore, nickel sulphide
ores, copper concentrates, and barren gabbronorite. The principal PGE component
was sourced from the Dishaba Mine (Limpopo Province, South Africa), a well-known
operation on the western limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex characterised by
Merensky and UG2 reef mineralisation hosting platinum, palladium, rhodium and
gold in sulphide and alloy phases.
Nickel contributions were derived from high-grade Ni sulphide ores from the
BHP Leinster and Xstrata Cosmos deposits, both hosted within komatiitic
ultramafic sequences of the Agnew–Wiluna greenstone belt (Western Australia).
Copper was introduced using DeGrussa and Cobar high-grade Cu concentrates from
Western Australia and New South Wales, respectively. Additional gold material
was incorporated via PGE-bearing Frogs Leg ore (Western Australia).
The matrix was adjusted using barren gabbronorite sourced from the Black Hill
Norite Complex (near Adelaide, South Australia), providing an ultramafic–mafic
host consistent with the geological environment of Ni–Cu–PGE sulphide
mineralisation.

OREAS 683b has been characterized using the following methods:

Full ICP-OES and ICP-MS elemental suites by 4-acid (HNO3-HF-HClO4-HCl)
digestion
Sodium peroxide fusion or lithium borate fusion with full ICP-OES and
ICP-MS suites
Au, Pt and Pd by lead collection fire assay with ICP-OES and ICP-MS
Au, Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh and Ru by nickel sulphide (NiS) collection fire assay
with ICP-OES and ICP-MS
Certified values for applicable analytes are operationally defined for each
method, with results under OREAS ISO 17034 scope of
accreditation.