I’m weighing a move from MC-ICP-MS isotope work and clay XRD into field exploration where crustal alteration mineralogy guides targeting — think SWIR mapping of white micas and core logging of quartz–carbonate vein assemblages. For those hiring in North America, does hands-on petrography plus pXRF/SWIR carry more weight than pure assay/ICP-MS skills, and what ranges are you seeing for about 6 years’ experience; also, is Nevada or Ontario hotter right now for critical minerals work?
@OP In NV porphyry work, SWIR+pXRF outranked ICP-MS; show 200 m/day core logging; petrography still closes offers.
@OP Got hired after logging Al–OH shifts in ‘white mica’ + pXRF; assays still decide metallurgy.
Switched from MC-ICP-MS to greenfields last year; what got me hired wasn’t assays but a 2-day trial where I logged quartz–carbonate veins and used SWIR to track the 2200 nm Al–OH shift in white mica, then paired it with pXRF K/Al to vector holes. In NA that combo beats pure ICP-MS for field roles; I’m seeing $85–115k base on 2/2 hitches, swings with camp costs. Bring a printed “2195-2215 nm = phengitic trend” cheat sheet and the USGS spectral library link (https://speclab.cr.usgs.gov/spectral-lib.html) to your interview, @OP.
On a BC porphyry program, the thing that got traction was handing over a same-day alteration map tied to collar moves — ‘show me how you turn spectra into decisions,’ as our PD put it. @jthomp57 is right, but pair it with a clean spectral library and controlled lighting (USGS: https://speclab.cr.usgs.gov/spectral-lib.html) and a tight one-pager showing SWIR picks, vein textures, and pXRF pathfinders. Assays are the rearview mirror and SWIR/pXRF the headlights — what day-rate ranges are you seeing in NA right now?