Chemistry : Atomic Minerals Directorate

Chemistry

Mission: Chemical characterization of various geomaterials to support the exploration programme of AMD for uranium and other atomic minerals. AMDs Chemistry group aids in mineral exploration by providing chemical analytical data for field and laboratory investigations. The chemistry laboratories are situated in Hyderabad and at seven regional centres: Northern Region in New Delhi, Southern Region in Bengaluru, Eastern Region in Jamshedpur, North Eastern Region in Shillong, Western Region in Jaipur, Central Region in Nagpur, and South Central Region in Cherlapally, Hyderabad. Our team analyzes various geological materials for their principal oxides and trace elements, including rock, soil, borehole core, and beneficiation products. Hydro geochemical samples are analyzed for cations, anions, and trace elements. Our laboratories have developed expertise in the chemical characterization of refractory minerals such as monazite, xenotime, ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet, sillimanite, beryl, niobate, and tantalate phases, as well as geo-botanical, coal and fly ash samples, covering more than 70 elements from parts per billion (ppb) to percentage levels. Gold and platinum group elements are pre-concentrated using the Fire Assay technique and analyzed by GF-AAS/ICP-OES. The chemistry laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including Pellet and Light Emitting Diode (LED) Fluorimeter, UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Flame and Hydride Generator Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (F/HG-AAS), Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GF-AAS), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP–OES) and Microwave Assisted Digestion System (MDS). Additionally, the headquarters laboratory is equipped with a High Resolution Continuum Source Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (HR-CS-AAS). The laboratories in Hyderabad and Jaipur are equipped with Ion Chromatographs, while those in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Jaipur are equipped with Carbon-Sulfur (C-S) Analyzers. Moreover, the Hyderabad facility has a gas chromatograph system for helium analysis and a Class 10,000 clean room designed for ultra-trace analysis. NABL Accreditation as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 The Chemistry Laboratory, Hyderabad, is NABL-accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (Certificate No. TC-7163) for chemical testing of monazite, niobite–tantalite, and rock samples. The Chemistry laboratory, Bengaluru is also accredited by NABL for Chemical testing of Lithium minerals (Certificate no. TC 11308). Research activities Our Chemistry Group has been at the forefront of analytical innovation for over five decades. Through sustained R&D, the team has published extensively in leading national and international journals. This work has led to the development of novel analytical methods and significant improvements to existing techniques, ensuring reliable solutions to complex analytical challenges. Patents AMD received a patent (Patent No. 420937) through Chemistry group for an invention entitled “A filter with developed sorbent composite material for removing toxic metal contaminants from aqueous systems” in accordance with the provisions of the Patents Act, 1970. Technology Transfer 1. Arsenic Removal Filter for Domestic Water Purification (WT19AMD): Arsenic, a toxic contaminant, poses a global health risk with over 200 million people exposed through drinking water. In India, groundwater contamination is most critical in the eastern region, particularly West Bengal. The WT19AMD employs a simple, gravity-fed filtration system designed for household and community applications, offering an effective solution for arsenic removal in areas lacking electricity. 2. Field Test Kit for detection of Arsenic (with novel nontoxic sensor strip) in ground water: The WHO prescribes 10 ppb as the permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water. To identify safe water sources without relying on distant laboratory facilities, field-based detection methods are essential. AMD developed Field Test Kit for detection of Arsenic, this kit enables rapid onsite analysis, providing immediate results for timely action. Designed to minimize groundwater interferences, the kit is user-friendly, reliable, and sensitive enough to detect arsenic at the 10 ppb level." Certified Reference Materials (CRM) As a part of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharath” initiative, Chemistry Group, AMD and NCCCM, BARC jointly developed and released a Certified Reference Material (CRM) of Dolomite-BARC B1101 on 23.11.2021 and Ferro carbonatite CRM is ready for release.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) ICP-OES is a high-throughput, multi-element technique for determining trace and major elements in rocks, soils, sediments, and minerals. It allows simultaneous detection of a wide range of elements after digestion, with excellent dynamic range and matrix tolerance, making it ideal for mineral exploration, environmental monitoring, and resource assessment.
Flame/Graphite/Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) is widely used for quantifying trace and major metals in geological materials, supporting geochemical exploration, environmental monitoring, and resource assessment. Specialized variants include HG-AAS for highly sensitive detection of hydride-forming elements (As, Se, Sb, Bi, Te) and GFAAS for ultra-trace analysis of elements like Cd, Pb, Hg, Au, and PGEs.
Gas Chromatography based Helium gas Analyser This instrument is designed for helium analysis in exploration studies, using a high-sensitivity thermal conductivity detector (TCD) for accurate measurement in hot spring and soil gas samples. With optimized argon carrier flow, precision injection, and automated data processing, it ensures high analytical reliability.
Carbon-Sulphur Analyser The instrument simultaneously determines total carbon (TC) and total sulphur (TS) in solid samples such as rocks, soils, sediments, minerals, coal, coke, and ores. It operates on combustion in an electric resistance furnace with detection by non-dispersive IR absorption, offering ~2% RSD precision.
Ion Chromatograph (IC) IC is a highly effective technique for the determination of anions and cations in geological materials such as rocks, soils, sediments, and waters. It is widely used for analyzing environmentally and geochemically significant ions, including Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, F⁻, Br⁻, PO₄³⁻, as well as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ after proper aqueous extraction or leaching procedures.
LED Fluorimeter LED fluorimetry is a sensitive and selective technique for uranium determination in rocks, soils, waters, and mineral concentrates. Based on uranyl ion fluorescence under LED excitation, it is widely used in uranium exploration and environmental monitoring, offering portability, low power use, and rapid analysis for both field and laboratory applications.