SAMPLING , ANALYSIS AND LAB ASSAY
understanding of orebodies around the world to build analytical-based models on .
“ Even before we get to the point of building datasets for AI algorithms , we are delivering near-term value to clients , often geared towards improving the speed , accuracy or granularity of analysis ,” Clark said . “ We ’ re delivering more granular and higher-density results in quicker times . On structural logging , for instance , we ’ re able to log 10 times as many features as a human will log over that same timeframe .”
And this value proposition has strengthened with the incorporation of Minalyze hardware and software .
“ To give you an example , TruScan comes with an AI structural logging capability and elemental geochemistry-based lithological logging ,” Clark explained . “ Minalyze has their own AI logging capability based on RGB or photographic interpretation combined with the spectral data . I can see projects where we can match these two together and lift the analytical capabilities for the client to solve certain problems they are having with their core logging processes .”
The two companies are already aiding the industry ’ s need to speed up the exploration-todevelopment process by helping optimise the drilling and drilling analysis process with faster access to data that geological teams have confidence in , according to Clark .
“ We deliver data in 24 hours and , frankly , in many cases , our clients are carrying out their resource modelling processes based on TruScan data alone , not waiting for laboratory analysis to come back ,” he said .
Such capabilities help teams in the field – allowing them to know if they should , for example , terminate a hole earlier than planned – as well as those in offices looking to generate resource updates that can be submitted to regulators .
“ Our clients are still sending samples to the labs – labs are always likely to have their place in orebody knowledge and mineral mapping – but they are now able to be more targeted with how and what they send ,” Clark said .
This is enabled through several Veracio innovations to ensure that “ competent persons ” in the value chain have the required confidence level in the data , he added .
“ Our solutions change the nature of the error associated with the data source ,” Clark explained . “ We eliminate a lot of the error associated with chain of custody as the transportation issues you get with laboratorybased analysis is not there , plus we have greater density of data , going down to centimetres resolution currently , as opposed to the 1-3 m level with lab samples .
“ When added to the higher volume of data we are able to provide and the assurances around this data , competent and qualified persons are finding the confidence to use our data in their regulatory filings .”
IMA keeps building analysis factory
IMA Engineering has been influencing decision making across the mining value chain , with an offering that starts at the drill core and goes all the way up to the process plant and beyond .
Its IMA ScanMobile solution – for drill core analysis – was developed close to 20 years ago , with the generation of various datasets from Nordicbased mining projects being used in fundamental studies .
Ilpo Auranen , Chairman of IMA , said the company is currently entertaining the idea of
a global expansion of the XRF-based , vanmounted mobile solution , in line with the need for more digitalised decision making from the mining industry .
“ Our ScanMobile platform is a much higher capacity unit than others out there ,” he told IM . “ It is , in effect , an analysis factory , so we ’ re looking for customers and countries outside of the Nordics that have enough drill core to fully utilise that capacity .”
As well as providing mineralogical feedback about the scanned core , IMA and its clients have been using this data within a “ sortability index ” context to evaluate potential preconcentration processes in the flowsheet , as well as for assessing the acid mine drainage potential that comes with the orebody in question .
ScanMobile fits into the company ’ s wider remit of conducting near-to-real-time online analysis and distributing the information as widely as possible throughout the mining process , a focus also prevalent in the blasthole sampling space through its AutoSampler solution .
The IMA AutoSampler automates the sampling , sample splitting and sample bag change process , helping preserve the geological structure of the sample in the sample bag for detailed ore , waste border recognition and visual chip logging .
On top of the sampling accuracy benefits clients can achieve with this solution , the potential to improve a site ’ s health and safety practices also stand out , particularly so in the North America open-pit gold mining market .
“ Many of the gold mining operations work with quartzite where you generate a lot of silica dust during drilling ,” Auranen explained . “ This is not an environment where you want people taking drill samples .
“ By automating this process with AutoSampler , you can reduce the need for the workforce to carry out this task and create a more user-friendly environment that also respects all of the health and safety regulations in that country or countries . At the moment , this is of interest in North America , with IMA having sold solutions to mines in the US and Canada .”
Also used underground , AutoSampler will soon benefit from a new sample handling and analysis system set to improve the analysis turnaround time and cost of analysis , Auranen said .
IMA is also continuing to improve its plantbased solutions with the IMACON 100 on-stream analyser now benefitting from Automatic Window Rollers ( AWRs ) that keep the flow cell window clean and free of scaling caused by active slurry contact – all without the need for personnel to interact with the analysers .
These IMACON 100 units are able to analyse oxide or elemental compositions in finely ground
14 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2024