Mining X-rays map new paths to hidden gold
Revolutionary new X-ray technology that provides critical data to miners on gold grades in near-real time is changing the landscape of Australian mining. Developed by the CSIRO and brought to market by Chrysos Corporation, the fully automated photon analysis system drastically reduces the turnaround time on assays from days to minutes.
Adopted by Aussie mining services company Ausdrill, the ground-breaking technology is currently being used in a world-first at their MinAnalytical Perth facility, with two more photon assay systems to soon be established in the Kalgoorlie goldfields.
At a similar cost to the conventional fire assay technique for gold analyses used for 500 years, this new X-ray system analyses more than 50,000 gold samples a month and can be applied to other minerals, including silver and copper.
A faster, safer and more environmentally friendly alternative, photon assay technology is expected to give Australia’s mining industry a competitive edge on the global stage.
- Photon assay technology analyses more than 50,000 gold samples a month.