SAMPLING , ANALYSIS AND LAB ASSAY
The ColdBlock Pro Series delivers the same speed and precision as the existing ColdBlock Standard digester line but features a simplified design that is easier to clean and maintain ; a single infrared lamp that lasts up to 4,000 hours ; improved scalability with potential to connect up to four digesters to the same controller ; and three different size configurations to accommodate a wide range of sample sizes designed to deliver the same speed and precision as ColdBlock ’ s Standard digester line but now features a simplified , robust design that is easier to clean and maintain , a single infrared lamp that lasts up to 4,000 hours , improved scalability with potential to connect up to four digesters to the same controller , and three different size configurations to accommodate a
wide range of sample sizes .
Reflecting on the development and launch of the Pro Series , West said : “ We incorporated industry feedback and our own learning to simplify the design and make it more robust while maintaining what makes ColdBlock unique .”
ColdBlock ’ s new mid-size Pro Series units can handle 16 samples of up to 5 g , accommodating any base metal sample size – with potential to expand 4x up into a 64-sample digester operated using a single controller . With the test tube liners developed in 2021 , labs can now use any acid , including hydrofluoric . “ Any digestion currently being done using a hot block can now be done much faster using ColdBlock , with opportunities to reduce dangerous acids and improve throughput , without impacting accuracy or precision of the assay process ,” West said .
With the new large Pro Series units accommodating 12 samples of up to 30 g , West is seeing greater interest from not only the base and energy metals markets , but also those focused on precious metals , especially gold miners with by-product metals that require multielement analysis .
to the company . With ColdBlock , the time required for the overall assaying process for mining samples ( raw ore or concentrates ) is reduced by well over 50 %.
With a super-fast digestion step , and also the ability to handle sample sizes up to 30-40 grams , this technology is also an appealing alternative to fire assay analysis used to analyse precious metals .
Craig West , Chief Executive Officer of ColdBlock , discussed how labs are benefitting from a transition to ColdBlock Digestion : “ Our technology reduces one of longest steps in the traditional assaying process to just minutes , with equipment that fits within existing lab infrastructure and is simple enough to be used by any lab employee , while offering improved safety , reliability and accuracy .”
ColdBlock ’ s first commercial products came to market in 2017 with accuracy and operating costs validated by industry partners – New Gold , Freeport-McMoRan , Newcrest Mining , Centerra Gold , Queen ’ s University and SGS – in an in-thefield AMIRA study published in 2019 . Its products have since been sold to laboratories and mining companies around the world .
The company says it has now grabbed the attention of the larger global labs with methods that digest base metal concentrates in 20 minutes , lithium ores in 30 minutes and with a new method to replace traditional 4-acid digestions with a safer 30-minute solution .
In October , ColdBlock announced the launch of its new Pro Series digesters . The Pro Series was
Fire assay for flotation testing
Eriez ® recently completed the construction and commissioning of a new state-of-the-art fire assay laboratory at its world headquarters in Erie , Pennsylvania , USA , offering its clients faster assay turnaround times to support their flotation testing .
This new facility includes all required equipment for fusion , cupellation , parting , weighing and assaying , as well as innovative systems to enhance worker safety and environmental compliance , it said .
Erich Dohm , Eriez Flotation Senior Manager-USA Operations , said the addition of fire assay capabilities further establishes the company ’ s position as an innovative global partner in minerals processing and flotation .
“ This investment was made as part of our commitment to enhancing support for our precious metals flotation customers in addition to existing capabilities for base metals and industrial minerals projects ,” he said . “ Our customers will see a tremendous benefit in the development of new precious
According to Eriez , the new fire assay laboratory will enable full execution of all aspects of precious metals flotation projects , with next-day assays available to guide flotation investigations
metal projects incorporating our advanced flotation technologies , such as the HydroFloat ® and StackCell ® .”
According to Eriez , the new fire assay laboratory will enable full execution of all aspects of precious metals flotation projects , with next-day assays available to guide flotation investigations . Dohm says : “ This will allow our team of flotation experts to complete projects under a tight deadline without risking delays from external commercial laboratories .” Eriez ’ s in-house analytical capabilities also include XRF , inductively coupled plasma , atomic absorption , combustion furnace ( sulphur ), and particle size by laser diffraction .
Dohm concluded : “ Our full-service metallurgical and analytical laboratory facilitates strong customer partnerships , from initial flowsheet development at prefeasibility stages through troubleshooting and optimisation of existing mill circuits .”
48 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2023