A real-time bulk material analyzing system is disclosed for analyzing the elemental characteristics of bulk material passing by the system on a moving conveyor belt. An exemplary embodiment includes a source of illumination emitting white light for exciting bulk material to be analyzed, and a hyperspectral imaging spectrometer for capturing spectral reflectance from bulk material excited by the illumination source. A non-hazardous source of excitation can be used, which allows the bulk material to pass unobstructed and undisturbed through the detector array.