With this in mind two key developments have taken positive steps forward:
Chile:
We are pleased to announce that as of 1st August 2016 Mr Ramiro Blanch joined ALS Inspection in the position of General Manager ALS Inspection, Chile. Ramiro will be based in the ALS facility in Colina, Santiago, where he will be establishing an ALS inspection network and laboratory capability within Chile.
It is envisaged that the existing ALS geochemical and metallurgical laboratory in Colina will be developed to be able to undertake commercial (party / umpire) analytical testing and service the local markets. There will be strong coordination and interaction with the ALS Inspection UK Laboratory and technical staff to ensure we standardise and systemise existing Inspection methodology, techniques and quality control.
Ramiro brings a wealth of industry knowledge, experience and contacts to ALS after working for 32 years for Codelco (Corporacion Nacional Del Cobre, Chile) in their Santiago headquarters holding senior management positions such as Sales Vice-Presidency and Quality and Technical Manager. Post leaving Codelco Ramiro was operating within the ALS Metallurgical business in Santiago.
It is also envisaged that the growth of an inspection network will benefit from the existing ALS network of facilities in Chile. To compliment this, ALS have signed a formal Alliance Agreement with local Chilean based group Marss. Marss are a well-established, highly regarded marine inspection and superintending service provider within the Chilean market with a geographic spread of surveyors covering major ports such as Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Valparaiso, San Antonio, Talcahuano and Puerto Montt.
Australia:
In September ALS Inspection established its first operation in Australia with the opening of a branch in Townsville. We are pleased to announce that as of 12th September 2016, Mr Geoff Prince (pictured on the right with John Alexandrou Operations Manager, Geochemistry, Australasia East, Pacific) joined ALS in the position of Operations Manager ALS Inspection, Australia. This will be ALS Inspection’s first staff appointment in Australia and the first step to developing an Australian inspection network. Geoff will be based in the existing ALS facility in Townsville, Australia.
Geoff brings to ALS a wealth of direct industry knowledge and technical experience in the provision of inspection, sampling and supervision services directly relating to ALS Inspection core commodities (with significant experience relating to the sampling of bulk commodities), having worked for the last 14 years focused on the inspection and sampling of bulk concentrates and bullion materials moving through the port of Townsville.
