The synthesis of cutting-edge laboratory methodology and highly effective analytical service - Resource analytics at the newly founded Helmholtz-Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (Germany)

Based on an initiative of the German Federal Government the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) is being established jointly by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The new institute is to make a vital contribution towards implementing the national German strategy on raw materials. These visions and aims form the intellectual basis for the scientific work at the HIF:

• New technologies for utilization of mineral and metal containing resources from complex domestic and foreign deposits
• Contribution to global environmental protection by means of material and energy efficient extraction and use of raw materials
• Economic networks between Germany and resource countries based on sustainable technologies provided to German industry by the Helmholtz Institute (technology in exchange for access to raw materials)
• Training of new generation of highly qualified academic and technical staff for German industry and academia

The chemical and phase analysis of all natural and synthetic materials involved in the supply chain, named as resource analytics, is one of the backbones of the HIF. During implementation of the Department of analytics we embark on the following strategy:

• Concentration of all competences and capacities in one department available to all other departments
• Avoiding isolated applications
• Strict integration of the analysts during acquisition and design of projects
• Consistent integration of further development of laboratory methodology into scientific projects of the respective departments.

We describe the rationales and present first results of our landmark projects in resource analytics:

• High-speed PIXE of natural and synthetic materials
• Super-SIMS
• Automated mineralogy
• Reference materials for microanalytical methods

and demonstrate the interplay with the common projects of the HIF.