The paper describes the analysis of a columbite-tantalite (coltan) mineral ore from
Congo by using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TRXRF) analysis. The sample was
mineralised with a lithium tetraborate and lithium metaborate flux mixture. TRXRF allows
multi-element analysis in a wide range of concentrations. The results were in good
agreement with those obtained by using another alkaline fusion with sodium peroxide.
