MINERALS & METALS

Mining Geochemistry

AGAT Laboratories offers specialized geochemical and assaying services for the mineral exploration industries. Our Mining Geochemistry Laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for specific tests listed on the scope of accreditation at www.scc.ca.

Through our advanced instrumentation and with experienced scientific professionals, we offer consistent quality analysis with fast turn-around of results. Our packages and laboratory service plans are customized based on your needs and are designed to enhance project management and to offer value-added services.

We offer the following geochemical services:

• Precious Metals analysis
• Base Metals, Uranium and Rare Earth elements
• Geochemistry Spectroscopy
• Selective Leaches
• Lanthanide analysis
• Lithogeochemistry
• Sulfide/Laterite Analysis
• Classical Assays
• Acid-base Accounting
• Advanced exploration services

Our experienced team of professionals are also available to assist in geochemical data interpretation, method development and project design and management for your analytical needs throughout the mining process – from mineral exploration to equipment maintenance and environmental chemistry.

Information Technology

AGAT Laboratories has specially designed information management tools for our clients to enhance their ability to access and manage information quickly, resulting in improved productivity, profit, performance and accuracy.

WebMINING is our interactive web database for mineral exploration clients. This software package provides real-time access to results while integrating features such as an analytical library of historical data, data trending, guideline comparisons, quality control and customizable export functions.

To access our WebMINING login, click here.

Commitment to Quality

Our laboratory personnel understand how critical quality control is to the overall success of a project. As a result, our Quality Assurance Department utilizes a sophisticated Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to monitor the progress of a samples’ analysis throughout the laboratory process. Working with the Quality Assurance Department, our Sample Preparation Department ensures proper grain size in every step of the process. Our Quality Assurance Department also inserts blind replicate and duplicate samples into our laboratory stream and monitor the routine control charts of all  certified reference materials.

Geochemical Assay

AGAT Laboratories offers a variety of geochemical approaches and packages that can be customized based on your project requirements. These analyses are initiated with a digestion or decomposition technique and then conducted and completed using state-of-the-art instrumentation for the most accurate results possible.

Our multi-elemental geochemical packages and specialty analysis include:

Sample Preparation

All samples received are carefully assessed and processed through our Sample Preparation Department. AGAT Laboratories recognizes that the quality of all analysis is dependent on the quality of sample preparation. Through intense quality control, our Sample Preparation Department takes pride in selecting the most homogeneous sub-sample for analysis. We tailor sample preparation for your specific project requirements. Depending on the type and size of the sample, common preparation procedures may include drying, crushing, pulverizing or screening of the samples.

Our experts are available to help you select the best sample preparation procedures based on sample type, mineralogy and overall program requirements. We specialize in the following sample preparation services:

• Mineral Sample Preparation (drying, crushing, splitting, pulverizing and screening)
• Core Handling and Cutting
• Particle Size Distribution
• Sample Storage and Management

Mineral Sample Preparation

During mineral sample preparation, geological material is broken-down into a fine, dry pulp that can be sub-sampled to provide a representative sample of the original rock. Sample preparation is key in ensuring that the target elements are effectively released from the rock for decomposition and further analysis. Quality protocols are followed at AGAT Laboratories during all stages of sample preparation including proper handling, safety and sample tracking.

We utilize a specialized Bar-coding Tracking System that allows each sample to be given a unique identification number as they are scanned into the laboratory. This allows samples to be tracked throughout all stages of analysis and enables us to easily monitor progress.

• Drying of mineral samples is variant on the type of sample type due to mass, moisture and matrix. It is important that all the moisture content of samples are removed to ensure that particles do not adhere to the preparation equipment.
• Crushing of samples is required when particle sizes are too large for pulverizing equipment. This volume reducing process is normally applied to large sample types such as rocks and core.
• Splitting is a cost-effective method of reducing sample volume and splits the sample into representative sub-samples. To ensure a proper representative sample is obtained, careful consideration is taken when choosing the size of the splitter and its contact with the sample in order to split the rock without bias.
• Pulverizing of samples creates a fine homogeneous powder which allows for a representative sub-sample to be taken for analysis. Low chrome steel bowls are utilized, as any trace contaminants from the equipment would be negligible when compared to the content in the sample. For special projects, AGAT Laboratories can also select specialized bowl materials to avoid contamination minerals when targeting certain elements.
• Screening is performed on samples to determine the mass distribution of various size fractions. Mesh sizes can be customized for multiple screening processes.

Core Handling and Cutting

AGAT Laboratories is experienced in handling core and our state-of-the-art automated core saws enable us to process core with extreme precision while maintaining optimum safety and productivity. Our capabilities include core slabbing, boxing, splitting and secure storage for archiving core samples. Key geological, mineral and geotechnical data can be determined through core analysis and description.

Core slabbing splits the samples into representative samples that can be used as references for analysis. Through our Advanced Exploration Services, we also offer high resolution core photography and proprietary software for viewing core as a  continuous down-hole image and strip-log. These are used for depth-correcting and marking key geological markers directly on the images.

Particle Size Distribution

Determining the particle size distribution of geological material can be utilized in determining the effectiveness of grinding processes on rock samples. AGAT Laboratories can use either laser diffraction or the mechanical sieve shaker method.

• Laser Diffraction: The degree to which light is scattered from the sample relates to the particle size distribution. A continuous scale can be obtained from sub-micron size to millimeter size.
• The Mechanical Sieve Shaker Method: passes the sample through a series of screens with different aperture, progressively becoming smaller at the bottom layers. The samples are weighed at each level and a particle size distribution can be determined.

Sample Storage and Management

AGAT Laboratories offers both long and short term storage options for core, pulps and bulk residues. Our sample storage facilities are secure and have a specialized Bar-code Tracking System in place so that our technicians can quickly locate any samples in a matter of seconds. Storage can be coordinated with our Client Project Managers, and samples can be easily prepared for further analysis and returned or properly disposed of with client approval.

Ore Grade Analysis

High accuracy and precision are required when analyzing ores, concentrates and high grade material. AGAT Laboratories offers a number of base metal analysis and fustion techniques for ore-grade analysis where total dissolution of the sample is required. These spectroscopy analyses are based on specialized, aggressive metaborate and sodium peroxide fusion techniques for a more detailed analysis of sulphide/laterite and lithogeochistry sampling projects.

Sodium Peroxide Fusion oxidizes samples at high temperatures. This powerful reaction is effective in dissolving high grade sulfides, laterites and other resistant minerals.

Lithium Borate Fusion is a strong fusion technique consisting of adding a mixture of lithium metaborate and tetraborate to the sample. After the sample is heated, the resulting molten bead is digested in a weak nitric acid solution. Lithium borate fusion is suitable for the dissolution of acidic oxides such as silicate rocks, silica-titanium, silica-aluminum refactories and related samples. This form of fusion is also used in kimberlite exploration work.

Iron Ore Determination Package

Enhanced Exploration Services

In conjunction with our Rock Properties Divisions, AGAT Laboratories also offers advanced exploration services for mining and mineral companies including:

• QEMSCAN Technology
• High Resolution Core Photography
• Down-hole Imaging and Depth Correction Technology
• Litological Examination
• X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Cathodoluminescent Analysis

QEMSCAN Technology

QEMSCAN® is a fully-automated microanalysis system that provides rapid and reliable mineralogical, petrographic and metallurgical data from any inorganic, and some organic, materials. This state-of-the-art technology is used in the mining sector for mineral exploration, ore characterization, and mineral process optimization applications. It is also utilized by the oil and gas industry to reduce risk and improve extraction, based on data derived from the microanalysis of drill cuttings and cores. Drawing from the back-scattered electron (BSE) signal intensity and an Energy Dispersive Spectra (ED) Signal, mineral identities are assigned to each measurement point by comparing the BSE signal and EDS spectrum against a mineral species database or species identification program.

High Resolution Core Photography

AGAT Laboratories offers high resolution core photography in colour under both ambient and ultra-violet lighting conditions. Photo images are acquired using a state-of-the-art digital scan camera. Each frame is programmed to have the well name, location, cored interval, core number, recovery, sample numbers, scale and core top and bottom interval indicated.  Photo images can be available as prints, on a Photo CD and are uploaded on our secure FTP site for instant viewing online from any location.

Down-hole Imaging and Depth-Correction Technology

AGAT Laboratories has pioneered the development in down-hole continuous core photography and depth correction. We have developed a technology that combines the ability to correct core photos with field LAS and sample selection. This enhancement provides our clients with the ability to choose their samples, correct their photos and transfer data back to the lab, limiting errors and ultimately decreasing turn-around times for photography. Sample selection is pin-point accurate and sampling errors are thus eliminated from the operation.

Lithological Examination

Lithological examination includes the description of rocks on a basis of such characteristics as colour, mineral content, primary structures, grain/crystal size and other physical properties.  AGAT Laboratories geologists will describe each interval of core (visually and with a microscope) that has different lithological features.

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis

XRD analysis provides precise identification of mineralogical composition and is a semi-quantitative analysis of a rock composition (bulk fraction) and an analysis of the clay fraction.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

SEM microphotography allows for a microscopic, three-dimensional examination of the rock surfaces. This assists in quantifying mineral composition and size along with providing  information regarding textures and porosity and  is valuable when studying clays, shales, sandstones, limestones and placer materials.

Cathodoluminescent Analysis

This study utilizes the ability of minerals to emit unique wavelengths of light under electron bombardment. A thin section of the rock sample is prepared and placed under a microscope within a specialized vacuum chamber.  An electron beam is pointed at the sample and photos are taken under cathodluminescent and plane-polarized lighting.  The colour and intensity of the cathodoluminescence from the sample is used to determine what minerals are present in the sample.