Commercial assays

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The ALS network of commercial laboratories has over 30 years of experience in the assay of base and precious metals, ores, and concentrates. By combining traditional assaying methods with innovative analytical instrumentation, ALS provides sample analysis in time-frames to exceed client expectations.

ALS operational teams assess, arrange, and report daily progress for supervision of materials across the globe. Clients are assigned a dedicated key account manager to optimise the process and communication flow. Through this core business, ALS has developed strong expertise and an in-depth knowledge of a vast range of mine qualities globally, backed up by an extensive database of information.

Service range offers:

  • Party/umpire analysis
  • Analysis of overflow samples from mine site laboratories
  • Outsourcing
  • QA/QC analytical testing
Copper analysis
Copper analysis

Assay techniques and technology:

  • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS): Measures low levels of elements in all metallurgical materials
  • ICP Atomic Emission Spectrometers: Analysis of a wide range of elements at ppm levels using a CCD detector with capability for multi-elemental detection with high precision
  • X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometers: Determine main and trace elements of various materials
  • High Precision Titrators: Fast and accurate determination of various elements such as silver, chlorine, fluorine and ferro alloys
  • Traditional Fire Assay: Modern electric fusion and cupellation furnaces
  • Gold, silver, and any platinum group metals can be separated from impurities during analytical determination. Precious metals can then be weighed to within 1/10,000th of a milligram

The ALS UK hub laboratory specialises in the identification of chemical elements across a wide range of materials associated with metals, minerals, concentrates and mining ores.

Commodities supervised include:

  • Base metal ores and concentrates
  • Other non-ferrous ores, concentrates, metals, and alloys
  • Iron ore and pig iron
  • Ferro alloys
  • Precious metals including full platinum group metals
  • Catalyst materials
  • Ferrous scrap (steel)
  • Non-ferrous scrap (copper, brass etc.)
  • Recycled metals scraps and residues
  • Steel products 
  • Coal and coke 
  • Minor metals
  • Noble metals 
  • Chemicals 
  • Rare earth minerals
  • Electronic scrap (eg: circuit boards, capacitors, PCBs)