The Chrysos PhotonAssay delivers fast, accurate gold analysis
ASX-listed Chrysos Corporation and International laboratory business MSALABS – a subsidiary of London-listed Capital – have entered into an agreement to provide Chrysos' PhotonAssay technology to Barrick Gold's mine sites on four continents.
The partnership – an extension of an existing relationship between the companies at Barrick's Bulyanhulu and Kibali operations in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), respectively – will start with the deployment of three MSALABS-contracted PhotonAssay units to Barrick's Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) complex, in the US, with the potential deployment of up to ten more PhotonAssay units to other Barrick projects by the end of 2025.
The single largest gold-mining complex in the world, NGM is 61.5%-owned and operated by Barrick, and 38.5% owned by the world’s largest gold miner, Newmont. The assets at the complex include ten underground mines, 12 surface mines and multiple related facilities.
“Barrick’s global adoption of our technology is a watershed moment for us, underlining PhotonAssay’s superiority to outdated and hazardous fire assay methods. Together with the team at MSALABS, we look forward to bringing the same operational and environmental benefits being delivered at Bulyanhulu and Kibali in Africa to more of Barrick’s gold mines,” comments Chrysos MD and CEO Dirk Treasure.
“This partnership reflects the teamwork that’s driven the highly successful integration of PhotonAssay technology into Barrick’s mine sites since the first hybrid lab commissioned in Bulyanhulu in 2021. MSALABS’ holistic approach, including design, construction and process components has resulted in seamless transitions from fire assay to PhotonAssay at Bulyanhulu and Kibali.
"Development has continued with copper assaying and innovations in sample logistics and robotics, extending the capability, safety and productivity of the entire system,” adds MSALABS CEO Stuart Thomson.
Barrick mineral resource management and evaluations executive Simon Bottoms says PhotonAssay has already been delivering faster, safer, more accurate and environment-friendly analysis to its African operations. "We are more than pleased to broaden the partnership with Chrysos and MSALABS to take advantage of this innovative technology in our global operations.”