DG Lab Services, a Level 3 broad-based black economic-empowerment certified company, was formed in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2015 to continue the service offering of a multinational group whose 40-year-old laboratory was discontinued, owing to the company’s restructuring and change in emphasis.

The immediate focus of DG Lab Services is the manufacture and supply of density tracers (also known as density simulants) to the global mining industry and related sectors, with a view to expand into other testwork capabilities.

“Density simulants serve as tools for calibration and equipment operation at process plants, testing facilities and equipment suppliers where the separation and concentration of valuable minerals, such as diamonds, iron-ore and coal, is based on density differentials,” explains the company.

DG Lab Services aims to provide high-quality products and services that exceed the expectations of its clients, some of which include diamond and coal producers; minerals processing equipment manufacturers; inspection, verification, testing and certification companies; research facilities; engineering companies; operation and maintenance specialists for minerals processing facilities and diversified mining operations.

“DG Lab Services aims to continue to be a preferred supplier of density simulants through maintaining the strong relationships we have established with our current clientele; pursuing further business through innovation that supports the requirements of these clients and ensuring that, while we are striving to supply high-quality products and services, safety remains our number one priority.” The company endeavours to grow its client base through the development of various tracer/simulant ranges to fulfil broader client requirements; improving the marketing of its tracer business and expanding its testwork capabilities for the mining and minerals industry.

DG Lab Services founder and MD Desiree Gopal, is a qualified metallurgist and chemist, and has close to 15 years’ laboratory work experience, eight of which involved density simulant technology while being employed as the laboratory manager at a multinational engineering organisation.

This knowledge and experience also encompasses testwork capabilities envisioned for future expansion.

Included in the team are laboratory assistants – Pretty Ndlovu and Paseka Makuru. Ms Ndlovu was an employee at the previous laboratory with Mrs Gopal and has vast experience and knowledge in the tracer manufacturing process and associated quality management system.

Mr Makuru was employed by an external contractor of the aforementioned engineering company and brings with him a strong passion and a ‘can do’ attitude towards learning new processes.

Receptionist and administrator Vanitha Dawson completes the team and her expertise lies in previous client liaison and administrative duties.