Metallurgical sample preparation is a lot more than pulverising discrete samples to dust for analysis. Sample shipments are diverse from hundreds of drill core intervals, tonnes of run of mine ore, or small discrete packages. Not just solids sample either, as water, carbons, concentrates, and all manner of chemical compounds feature in a metallurgical program. Very often, samples are immediately mixed with others to form composites, thus losing the original designation. As such, fastidious care is required to ensure the samples are prepared and blended to the right specification and ALS has the facilities and expertise to carry this out.
ALS understands the importance of sample preparation in the context of a metallurgical testwork program. If we get it wrong, all of the downstream testing results become suspect, or worse, meaningless. Over crush the sample and the downstream testwork may no longer be possible. This is why ALS places such high scrutiny and diligence on our preparation process from precise inventorying and selection through to thorough blending and splitting. Clients can be confident that their samples will be selected, crushed, and blended to exact requirements.
Pretty much anything. Crushed or broken samples in hessian or calico bags, bulka bags (less than 1t), 200 L drums, wooden crates, plastic drums, plastic bags, core trays, plastic tubs, IBC’s etc.
Bulka bags (less than 1t) or 200 L drums (3 or 4 to a pallet) are preferable.
Yes, up to 4x40' sea containers at one time.
Generally, no. Our procedures are geared towards representative controlled crushing, sub-sampling, and are more expensive as a result.
No. Local council regulations prohibit this for environmental reasons (i.e. dust plumes).
Typically, 200 mm. Small volumes of -300 +200 mm particles can be handled and broken individually.
Generally, yes. ALS has facilities and procedures to treat fibrous and radioactive samples. Surcharges do apply, however, to cover safety equipment, monitoring and decontamination.
ALS is a quarantine approved premises and treats many samples of oversea origin. Strict regulatory requirements are needed around packaging and paperwork, however. ALS can advise you on these requirements.
Yes, ALS can filter your plant slurry samples as required.
Yes, clients are always welcome to visit our facilities and observe samples and participate in sample selection.
Yes, if a test work program is in progress, ALS will happily dispatch test work products and feed samples to vendors, third party laboratories, and customers as required. Fees apply.
Invariably, sample preparation is just the start of a metallurgical testwork program. Click the following links for other downstream test work services:
Click on the above links or contact us for further information. We can integrate a full program for you if required.