SAMPLING, ANALYSIS & LAB ASSAY emissions, energy and waste associated with PhotonAssay and the more traditional fire assay techniques.
PhotonAssay is a rapid, accurate and non-destructive method for assaying gold, silver and base metals that is transforming industry standards, according to Chrysos Corp. It offers significant advantages over traditional fire assay techniques, including faster turnaround times, improved accuracy and enhanced environmental safety.
The assessment focused on operational impacts, specifically energy consumption, greenhouse gas( GHG) emissions( Scope 1 and 2), and hazardous waste generation( lead / Pb waste), exclusively using data collected from the SGS Kalgoorlie Facility Laboratory( SGS Kalgoorlie) between June 2024 and March 2025 and that shared by Chrysos.
PhotonAssay technology presented a more sustainable alternative to fire assay the assessment concluded, offering the following benefits from routine analysis:
• Lower energy consumption – circa-0.78 kWh per sample, around 90 % lower than fire assay;
• Reduced GHG emissions of around 0.40 kg CO₂-e, which was some 76 % lower than fire assays; and
• Elimination of hazardous waste, with 0 g per sample – 100 % lower than fire assay.
The report said:“ These advantages position PhotonAssay as a forward-looking solution aligned with priorities to reduce GHG emissions, energy and lead waste. These characteristics might be relevant to PhotonAssay users wanting to reduce their own carbon footprint for the benefit of their own business sustainability and client customers.”
PhotonAssay technology is a rapid, accurate and non-destructive method for assaying gold, silver and base metals that, Chrysos Corp says, offers significant advantages over traditional fire assay techniques
PhotonAssay attraction
It is benefits like this that encouraged McEwen Inc to increase its exposure to the technology.
The mining company recently signed agreements to acquire a circa-31 % equity interest in Britannia Mining Solutions Inc, a company that operates under the name Paragon Geochemical Laboratories Inc., and is a provider of advanced analytical services to the mining industry, recognised for its deployment of PhotonAssay.
Paragon is an ISO 17025:2017-accredited geochemical laboratory serving mining clients across North America and soon globally. The company is young with aggressive growth plans, McEwen says, currently operating three laboratories, with eight additional sites to be constructed in key mining regions around the world over the next two years.
International Mining | FEBRUARY 2026 79