Applied mineralogy is crucial in various industries, including exploration, mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, tailings and waste management, refining and minerals trade.

At Intertek Minerals, our state-of-the-art facilities and expert technical specialists deliver accurate and reliable mineralogical analysis, supporting projects and operations worldwide.

Our Expertise in Mineralogical Analysis

With a proven track record in delivering precise mineral data, our team specialises in advanced techniques such as Automated Mineralogy (AM), XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) and Advanced Infrared Spectroscopy. Our services cater to local and global projects, providing comprehensive mineral analysis with industry-leading accuracy.

Bulk Mineralogy Analysis

Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
XRD is a powerful analytical technique for identifying and quantifying crystalline materials in powder samples. Each crystalline solid has a unique "fingerprint," aiding accurate identification through search-match processes against the crystallography/mineral database. This method provides both qualitative (mineral/compund phase identification) and quantitative results, which includes the measurement of the non-crystalline (amorphous) content.

Advanced Infrared Spectroscopy Techniques

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR)
Our TerraSpec NIR spectroscopy enables rapid identification and characterisation of minerals, including hematite, garnet, and rare earth minerals. NIR analysis helps map alteration zones associated with ore-forming processes, and for optimal accuracy, it is recommended to pair NIR with XRD analysis.

Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)
FT-IR offers a rapid, non-destructive method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of materials. Using regression and calibration, we determine the mineralogical composition with minimal sample preparation. In addition, we work with clients to develop quantitative predictive models from FTIR data.

Automated Mineralogy (AM)

QEMSCANTM Analysis
Our automated mineralogy using QEMSCANTM (Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy) identifies mineral phases at the micron scale. It provides detailed insights into the overall mineral abundance, the textural and spatial arrangement of minerals, helping to determine elemental deportment, liberation and grain size.

Key Benefits of QEMSCANTM Analysis:

  • Mineral Identification
  • Elemental Deportment
  • Detailed textural mapping of rock and core
  • Grain size and shape analysis
  • Mineral Liberation and Association
  • Mineral Exposure

Key Applications through the project life cycle:

  • Exploration
    • Mineral Assay
      • Mineral Identification and Abundance
      • Elemental Deportment (of elements of interest)
    • Rock textures and mineral associations
  • Geometallurgy
    • Metal Deportment
    • Metallurgical Parameters and ore domaining
  • Process Mineralogy
    • Flowsheet development
      • Gravity and Magnetic separation, Flotation, Hydrometallurgy
  • Plant/Concentrator
    • Feed changes
    • Trouble shooting of plant issues
  • Tailings and Waste Rock Characterisation
    • Acid generating and neutralizing potential mineralogy
    • Deleterious element characterization
  • Trade
    • Due diligence on mineral samples and concentrates

Specialised Clay Mineralogy Testing

Clays, as key components in soils and certain ores, can play a significant role in mineral recovery. At Intertek, we offer specialised clay mineralogy analysis to identify and evaluate their impact on processing.

Our Clay Mineralogy Services Include:

  • Clay Separation: Extracting clays from bulk materials for analysis.
  • XRD Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative analysis for clay identification.
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy/AM: SEM-EDS/QEMSCANTM for detailed mineral characterisation.
  • Swelling Index Testing: Assessing clay swelling in various solutions.