Gamma Activation Analysis (GAA) for Gold Ore Sampling
A Smarter, Faster Alternative to Traditional Fire Assay Methods
Baltic Scientific Instruments (BSI) Limited, headquartered in Riga, Latvia in the EU, but globally focused, is introducing its world-acclaimed Gamma Activation Analysis instruments to the African market. In regions where exploration and mining activities are ongoing or planned, the company hopes to replicate the success it has had in other regions on the continent.
Keeping an eagle’s eye on trends in global mining and pinpointing emerging needs to be met is BSI’s tried-and-tested approach to serving end-users of its Gamma Activation Analysis (GAA) analytical instruments. True to form, the company has identified a niche for Gamma Activation Analysis (GAA) equipment customised for gold-bearing ores in the African gold mining sector. Rising global demand has sparked increased exploration and new mining projects across the region.
The Suitability of GAA Instruments
Dr Vladimir Gostilo, the president and CEO of BSI, states that, typically, gold ore requires high detection sensitivity at the parts-per-million level which GAA instruments provide similarly to the fire assay method. To underline the advantages of GAA, he first highlights the shortcomings of the fire assay method.
Shortcomings of the Fire Assay Method
Typically, the fire assay method involves processes like preparation (grinding and mixing), collection (lead fusion), and separation (cupellation). Conduct of fire assay analysis requires specially prepared laboratories, their equipage with precision analytical equipment, and the presence of trained and highly qualified personnel.
All this calls for a lot of material costs, as well as time, since the process is time-consuming and slow. Thereby, the productivity of fire assay is very low, same as the representativeness of the results – since the weight of analyzed ore sample is small. In addition, for fire assay, chemical reagents are needed, which as a result of the analysis turn into chemical waste and their disposal is required.
The Effectiveness of GAA
Dr Gostilo highlights the most effective aspect about GAA: “Gamma Activation Analysis is a non-destructive control method. The same sample can be retested an infinite number of times. The high penetrability of gamma radiation allows to analyze large enough ore particles (1-3 mm). This eliminates the need for thorough crushing and grinding of ore, which provides advantages over conventional methods of selection and preparation of samples.”
Further, he mentions the following attributes of GAA:
- High penetrating ability of gamma radiation provides good representativity of samples due to using probes of 500-700 g weight;
- Due to the short half-life of excited gold nuclei, the duration of the analysis does not exceed 20-30 s;
- The method provides the necessary sensitivity and accuracy of analysis;
- The analysis results practically do not depend on the chemical composition of the sample;
- The method allows multi-element analysis over the course of a single cycle of the study and measurements;
- The method can be fully automated.
Extensive Applications
Unsurprisingly, due to these attributes, GAA is widely used in the analysis of samples for gold, other precious metals, and complementary elements. Generally, the method has proved very effective for application in mining and metallurgy.
Tailor-Made Turnkey Solution
BSI delivers its analytical equipment to clients in the mining sector in the form of tailor-made, turnkey solutions. In line with the requirements of customers, the company installs and then hands over the equipment, trains personnel on-site, and provides ongoing technical support. Moreover, as a firm believer in ‘local content’, wherever possible, the company always involves local technical companies in its business.
Through an integrated approach, customers benefit significantly from BSI’s technology. The company’s gamma activation analysers are precisely engineered for analysing ore samples for gold, other precious metals, and complementary elements. “Our equipment is originally developed for each of the specified applications. Besides, we always take into account the technological wishes of our customers. Last but not least, we use our vast experience to constantly improve the equipment,” says Dr Gostilo.
Well-Equipped and Up to the Task
BSI is aware that there is an increasing number of manufacturers of mineral sample analytical instrument technologies aiming to get a slice of the African mining market. However, Dr Gostilo assures African mining companies that BSI is well-equipped and up to the task of meeting their respective needs. He particularly mentions the following:
- Proficiency of the BSI Team
There is no better proof of the proficiency of BSI than the rich know-how and experience of its employees. For the record, leading specialists of the company have been involved in work on GAA of gold ores for more than forty-five years, since the first laboratories of GAA were established in the former Soviet Union. They participated in the organisation and technical support of GAA laboratories which has allowed to accumulate a huge methodological and metrological experience in carrying out the analysis.
- Edge Over Competitors
BSI is aware that there are a number of providers of various analytical technologies targeting the African mining sector. However, in the field of gamma-activation analysis equipment, there is only one competitor on the market that entered the GAA space in 2015-2016. BSI believes that competition is good for business and especially beneficial for the end user. However, the company believes that it has an advantage in the provision of gamma-activation analysis technologies:
- Extensive practical experience in GAA of gold-bearing ores;
- Flexibility to customise GAA systems in accordance with customer requirements;
- Development and manufacturing of a wide range of all components for GAA (linear electron accelerators, spectrometers and HPGe-based gamma radiation detectors, highly reliable systems for moving containers with samples, etc.) are handled in-house.
Africa: A Lucrative Market
It is small wonder that BSI has built quite a reputation in other parts of the world as an esteemed provider of GAA and XRF instruments for various products. The company regards Africa as a lucrative market, with huge growth potential for its GAA instruments.
Dr Gostilo reminds readers that BSI already delivers its online conveyor XRF analysers for determining the concentration of elements in minerals directly on the conveyor at mining enterprises.
Now, it is interested in promoting equipment for gamma activation analysis of gold-bearing ores to the market. “We are excited to bring a smarter, faster alternative to traditional fire assay methods,” enthuses Dr Gostilo.
