The Analytical Facility within ANSTO is a modern, well-equipped facility housing a range of analytical instruments, including ICP-OES, ICP-MS, Particle Sizing, Carbon and Sulfur analyser, XRD and XRF analysers suitable for a wide range of samples.
Our expert team can analyse everything from simple samples to complex matrices that are not typically dealt with by standard commercial laboratories.
The Analytical Facility provides a variety of services to support our process development and piloting projects and is responsible for the elemental and radiochemical analysis of solids and liquors generated by each of our projects. All analyses required to support commercial projects are undertaken in-house and not contracted out to third party service providers.
Liquor samples are routinely analysed by ICP-OES, ICP-MS and ISE after appropriate dilution. Solids are routinely analysed by XRF either as fused beads or pressed powders. All required sample preparation of solids is undertaken by our team. ICP techniques may also be used to analyse solutions derived from solid samples after fusion and/or appropriate digestion with acids. The analysis undertaken provides major element and trace element data.
The Analytical Facility provides around-the-clock support to our continuous piloting programs. Turnaround times vary from 4–24 hours, as required for plant control.
ANSTO’s experience
ANSTO has a 40-year track record of providing practical solutions and innovative technology to the mining and minerals processing industries. We have a team of 60+ dedicated professionals and technicians with expertise covering chemical engineering, metallurgy, mineralogy, chemistry, geology and radiation safety working within the Minerals business unit.
We provide process development services, technical review and consulting services, as well as collaborative and contract research on uranium, rare earth and specialty metals processing, radioactivity control and management, novel flowsheet design and modelling, and scoping level engineering / cost estimates.