SGS says it is expanding its service delivery in obtaining Chrysos PhotonAssay™ technology as an alternative to traditional fire assay procedures.

The two companies – SGS and Chrysos – have reached an agreement to install a PhotonAssay unit at SGS’s Australian Minerals Regional Hub in Perth, Western Australia.

PhotonAssay provides enhanced analysis of gold, silver and complementary elements in as little as two minutes, improving turnaround time, SGS said.

“SGS is at the forefront of innovation excellence in the minerals and mining sectors with leading automation across FTIR, pXRF, NIR and now PhotonAssay, which will support mining and exploration customers with faster, safer and more environmentally friendly analysis,” SGS said.

Chrysos Corporation Chief Executive, Dirk Treasure, said: “Chrysos is excited to be working with the SGS team. The installation of this new PhotonAssay unit at their cutting-edge facility in Perth reflects the desire of both organisations to deliver unparalleled levels of customer service through faster, safer and more sustainable assaying technologies.”

Hitting samples with high-energy X-rays, Chrysos PhotonAssay causes excitation of atomic nuclei allowing rapid and enhanced analysis of gold, silver and complementary elements. Importantly, the non-destructive process allows large samples of up to 500 g to be measured and provides a “true” bulk reading independent of the chemical or physical form of the sample, the companies said. The technology is also measurably safer and more environmentally friendly than previous assay processes, aligning with SGS’s core principle of achieving a better, safer, and more interconnected world, SGS said.

Derick Govender, Executive Vice President, Natural Resources, SGS, said: “As the leading testing, inspection, and certification service provider to the mining industry globally, SGS continues to seek new, innovative and sustainable solutions to further enhance our services to our customers. In adopting Chrysos PhotonAssay technology at our Perth facility, SGS will continue to work on further deployments of this technology within our global network. Our team’s technical expertise and insight into our customer`s value chain end-to-end is one of our key advantages that allows us to develop innovative solutions.”

Chrysos Corp has already worked with MinAnalytical, MSALABS and Intertek on deploying PhotonAssay units at labs.