SGS has opened a new sample preparation facility in Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse, looking to serve what is becoming a growing customer base in the territory.

The opening marks the expansion of SGS’s commercial geochemistry lab network in Canada, and the network’s first sample preparation lab in the Yukon.

Vice President of Minerals for SGS Canada Lawrence Ng said: “SGS is constantly reviewing opportunities to expand services and is committed to servicing the minerals industry globally. Our new Whitehorse laboratory has been strategically located to service the growing needs of the minerals exploration industry throughout the entire value chain in the Yukon.”

SGS’ entry into one of Canada’s most northern territories comes on the back of strong exploration interest from both gold and base metal-focused companies. Major gold miners Goldcorp, Agnico Eagle Mines, Newmont Mining and Barrick all have stakes in junior explorers working in the Yukon, with Goldcorp looking to solely develop the Coffee gold project into one of the most northern heap leach operations in the world.

The Whitehorse facility is equipped to provide drying, grinding, crushing, pulverising and soil screening capabilities. Sample preparation can be completed on the following sample types:
• Core samples
• RC chips
• Rock samples
• Trench samples
• Soil samples.

The new lab will integrate with SGS’ commercial geochemistry laboratory network in Canada with four locations in Ontario, one in Quebec and another in British Columbia.

SGS offers a wide range of services to the minerals sector including geochemical analysis, resource calculation, mineralogy, metallurgy, engineering, process design and engineering, process control, water treatment and trade services.