Mobile Metal Ion

The Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) Process™ is a totally integrated geochemical approach to precious metal, base metal and kimberlite exploration.

It uses a weak extraction and ICP-MS ultra trace element analysis to improve the conventional geochemical response over buried ore deposits.

MMI anomalies are sharply bounded and, in most cases, directly overlie and define the surface projection of buried primary mineralized zones. Its effectiveness has been documented in over 1000 case histories on six continents and it has been responsible for numerous commercial successes.

The MMI Process™ consists of:

• A simple sample collection procedure in which approximately 250 to 300 grams of sample is collected at a continuous interval of 10-25 cm below the living organics layer regardless of which horizon this depth corresponds to.
• Samples that are not otherwise prepared or dried.
• A weak extraction using a multi-component solution to release the mobile ions.
• There are several extractions possible, and each is specific to various targets or elements.
• A high sensitivity ICP-MS analysis which provides part per billion range results.
• An innovative interpretation using MMI response ratios.

MMI™ geochemistry is exclusively available at SGS laboratories. Please contact our consultants if you have specific MMI™ questions or visit our MMI™ Orientation Survey page to get started.