Analytical chemistry laboratory Set Point Laboratories, a division of the Set Point Group, announced in May that it had secured the labour contract for a “unique” underground laboratory at refined copper producer Palabora Mining Company’s (PMC’s) copper mine, in Phalaborwa, Limpopo.

The mine currently produces 30 000 t/d of copper ore. Additionally, the development of PMC’s R9.3-billion Lift II project is under way, which will extend the life of the Phalaborwa mine to 2033.

Set Point notes that the closer monitoring of ore copper concentration is “imperative” to ensure maximum output from the mine and a sustained ore supply from the current operations to the envisaged new mining level.

The company says PMC awarded it the contract to manage and operate its underground laboratory, as PMC wants to reduce assay and sampling costs, as well as improve the turnaround time for sample analysis, as this is critical in production decision-making for the mine.

The laboratory has the capacity to analyse 450 samples or 9 t of copper ore a week.

“When functioning at full capacity, only 56 kg of sample is brought to the surface daily for XRF analysis as opposed to 1 800 kg daily, when there was not an underground laboratory,” Set Point explains.

The 56 kg of sample is easily carried by the operators to the surface section, which thereby alleviates the logistical issues that were involved when transporting 1 800 kg from underground to the mine’s chemical laboratory.

“Since it was established, the laboratory has successfully reduced the turnaround time from more than one month to 72 hours, allowing the client to focus on their core competencies, while ensuring that the analytical data received is accurate and consistent,” says Set Point Laboratories MD Kevin Gerber.

He notes that the regular consultation between the on-site laboratory and the mine makes it easier for queries to be addressed immediately, resulting in improved customer service.

“For quality control purposes, 10% of the mine’s samples are reanalysed at Set Point’s main laboratory for comparison,” Gerber points out.

He says that as a value add, Set Point has conducted quality assurance and quality control training for the benefit of geologists, operators and samplers involved with the underground laboratory.

About Set Point Laboratories

Set Point Laboratories is an ISO 17025-accredited analytical chemistry laboratory offering a range of analytical tests on platinum-group metals, gold, light elements, uranium, rare earths and water.

The company also has a water laboratory specialising in the analysis of ground, surface, drinking, waste and process water. It provides an outsourced or managed mine and on-site laboratories in Mozambique and Gabon, including a well-established laboratory in Botswana.