OREAS 680b

OREAS 680b is a a copper–nickel–platinum group element (PGE) Certified Reference Material prepared from a blend of PGE-rich ores, high-grade Ni and Cu ores, and a barren gabbronorite matrix. The PGE ore component was sourced from the Dishaba Mine within the Bushveld Complex (South Africa), a world-class layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion hosting sulphides of Fe, Ni, Cu and PGE alloys. Additional PGE enrichment is provided by UG2 Reef ore from Anglo American Platinum. High-grade nickel sulphide ores from the Norseman–Wiluna greenstone belt (Western Australia), including material from Xstrata and BHP’s Leinster operations, contribute the principal Ni and Co tenor. Copper-rich ore was sourced from the DeGrussa deposit (Western Australia) and the Cobar district of New South Wales. A moderate Au component was supplied from the Frogs Leg deposit (Western Australia).

OREAS 680b 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.