SGS has been awarded an operational contract for the on-site laboratory at Wolf Minerals’ Drakelands tungsten and tin mine in the historic mining region of Devon, England. The contract stipulates that SGS will perform all of the required analytical services for the mine over the next five years. Products for analysis will include production grade control samples, process plant control streams and final concentrates for sale. In addition, SGS will provide metallurgical testing and technical support through the on-site lab, as well as from its existing metallurgical testing facility located at the Wheal Jane Earth Science Park in Cornwall.
The company stated: “SGS is well recognised in the laboratory analytical and testing sector and this new laboratory reflects a commitment to ensuring that all services are accessible to all of its clients. SGS operates on-site and near-site laboratories in some of the most remote locations in the world, regardless of the temperature, the altitude or sample volume. Whether requirements are at the mine site or in plant, SGS has an extensive network and technical solutions to help clients maximise value from their operation and reach their goals efficiently and effectively.”
Wolf Minerals is developing the third largest global tungsten resource at its Drakelands project, with construction quickly advancing on the mine and process plant which is scheduled to enter production in mid 2015. Wolf Minerals’s Managing Director, Russell Clark, said, “We are very pleased to be partnering with SGS at Drakelands. Our custom built laboratory, operated by their very experienced team, will provide efficient and accurate assaying at the site, with 13 jobs created as a result.”
The new on-site laboratory strategically supports the growing needs of the European minerals industry and complements SGS laboratories network in Europe and around the world. SGS operates over 150 commercial, on-site and Mobile Sample Preparation Unit (MSPU) geochemical laboratories, 12 metallurgical facilities, five mineralogy facilities, over 120 energy minerals labs, 33 fertiliser labs and over 80 trade offices. Many SGS geochemistry laboratories comply with the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for specific registered tests.
