Analytical Services

The Analytical Services Department offers a wide range of analyses to suit customer needs. The laboratory has a well equipped Fire Assay section as well as Instrumentation such as ICP-OES, AA, XRF, Particle size analyzers etc.

Range of Services

The laboratory also has a fully equipped Sample Preparation section. Most samples require preparation prior to analysis. Sample preparation is critical to obtaining correct results and is routinely performed for a wide range of sample types. This section handles drying, crushing, splitting and pulverizing of samples.

FIRE ASSAY

The laboratory has facilities available for lead collection (for the determination of Au, Pt, Pd), Palladium collection (for the determination of Au, Pt and Rh), nickel sulphide collection (for the determination of Au, Ir, Pt, Pd, Rh and Ru), gravimetric Au and total PGMs plus Au.

INSTRUMENTATION

• Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy. (ICP-OES)
• The laboratory is equipped with two state of the art simultaneous ICP OES.
• These instruments can be used to analyse major, minor and trace elements. The ICPs
• Are regularly used for the determination of a wide variety of elements in both solid and solution samples.

  Methods can be setup according to customer requirements.

ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY (AAS)

Despite the introduction of ICP-OEs the AA has still managed to prove its worth in laboratories. AA is preferred when only single element analysis is required or as a check technique.

X-RAY FLUORESCENCE  SPECTROSCOPY (XRF)

The laboratory is equipped with a compact desk-top energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence spectrometer. This instrument performs a non-destructive analyses for a wide range of elements ranging from
ppm to % levels.

MALVERN PARTICLE SIZE ANALYZER

The mastersizer measures the size of particles ranging from 0.05 to 556 microns.

WET CHEMISTRY

Classical or wet chemical methods are set up depending on customer needs.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ISO REGISTRATION

Certified Reference Materials and/or in house controls blanks and duplicates are analysed with each batch of samples. These results are reported along with the sample values if requested by the customer. In recognition of the need to ensure international standards are maintained in the laboratory, the Analytical Services Department received SANAS ISO 17025 accreditation in 2010.