Mining and minerals
“If it can’t be grown, it must be mined.” Natural resources form the foundation of societies’ lives and mining has played a key role throughout the millennia. From ancient Egypt to the Industrial Age and the ability of mass production, progress has led to our current demand for bigger, faster and stronger products.
The life-cycle of mining begins with exploration, continues through production before ending with closure and postmining land use. The ability to carry out fast and accurate analyses is very important to mining laboratories and is vital to critical decision-making. We provide analytical services suitable from greenfields exploration through to mine closure, including sample preparation and a wide range of state-of-the-art mineral testing services:
- Mineralogical analyses and phase determination
- Standard mineral sample preparation (dry, crush, split and pulverize)
- Advanced exploration including lithium borate and sodium peroxide fusions
- Particle size analysis
- Ores and concentrates chemical composition, including iron ore, nickel laterite, aluminum ore (bauxite), chromite ore, manganese ore, industrial minerals, refractory minerals and others
Measurement types
Particle size distribution
Particle size analysis in the range 0.01-3500 microns. For nanoparticle analysis see dedicated section.
Morphology
Morphological analysis of particles in the range 0.5-10000 microns (size, shape and transparency of particles). Integrated Raman chemical analysis with MDRS (Morphologically Directed Raman Spectroscopy).
Nanoparticle characterization
Size, concentration and zeta potential anlysis of nano-systems using light scattering techniques such as DLS, ELS and NTA techniques.
Rheology, Viscosity and Powder Flowability
Viscosity measurement and visco-elastic properties characterization of liquid dispersions, complex fluids and semi-solid materials.
Stability analysis
Rapid and objective quantification of concentrated dispersion real stability using Multiple Light Scattering.
High pressure homogenizer
High pressure homogenizing technique to produce stable nanoemulsions, reduce particle size or molecular weight of polysaccharides, nanoencapsulation, de-agglomeration, etc.
Exosomes and EVs characterization
Multiparametric characterization of exosomes and EVs including Sizing, Concentration per size range, Count, Phenotyping, Cargo, Integrity, Purity, etc.
Biomolecular interactions
Biomolecular interactions of proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, lipids and other biomolecules using ITC Microcalorimetry or BioLayer Interferometry BLI techniques.
Protein aggregate analysis
SEC is the standard method for protein aggregate analysis. The choice of pore size is related to the size of the molecule to be separated.
Elemental analysis
XRF provides both qualitative and quantitative information on a wide variety of sample types. It can quantify elements from beryllium (Be) up to americium (Am) in concentrations from 100% down to sub-ppm level.
Phase identification
Phase identification is the most important application of X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is not only applied on powder samples but also on polycrystalline solids, suspensions and thin films.
Polymer characterization
Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) that separates analytes on the basis of size, typically in organic solvents. The technique is often used for the analysis of polymers.
