The mineral abundance (modal analysis) of a sample is its composition in terms of the percentage of each mineral or mineral grouping present. The XMOD method is an automated and accurate point-count procedure in which X-ray spectra are used to determine the mineral composition at each grid point examined.
MLA point counts are much higher than in traditional optical methods and hence are more statistically significant. Also, a wider range of minerals is identified.
Sample Requirements:
Either lump or core samples or particulate material, sized or unsized. Particles smaller than 5 µm in an unsized sample will not normally be included in a modal analysis measurement.