Mining Services for Industry Challenges

ECBH surface water studies provide you with water quality testing and analyses so you can be sure you are making the most of your precious resources. Call our accredited team for more information.

Good quality water is essential, whether you are using water for survival and health or for cooling and production processes. Surface water that could affect your company includes water for drinking and irrigation, sea water and streams and rivers which may have been used for run-off and waste. All surface water sources should be analyzed for their quality. And some sources may demand mandatory regulatory checks.

Our mobile water testing laboratories can travel to any location to carry out speedy water analyses. We analyze the composition of your water, looking at the chemical, biochemical and microbiological qualities. Using top-of-the-range equipment and specialist computer software, we can illustrate the results to clearly show you any areas of contamination that need treatment.

Our team will be monitoring the quality of sea water in marine studies as well as examining the drinking water in large towns and cities. Our laboratories are accredited according to national and international quality standards, and are recognized by the authorized governmental bodies. We operate using only the latest safety standards.

Our wide range of laboratory tests can be used to prepare for environmental audits and impact studies. The analyses supports the development of a water management plan to suit your needs. We can also help you to resolve waste water problems. For compliance with government water regulations, you can use our reports to show that all required standards have been met.

Call us today and ensure your water resources are used safely and economically for the future.

Methane gas in situ determination provides you with an accurate measurement of the volumes of desorbed gas, residual gas and lost gas in a coal seam.

ECBH staff use the direct method for gas in situ determination. We determine the methane content of the coal by precisely measuring the total volume of gas released from the core samples taken from the seam.

Immediately after drilling, the sample is collected. It is sealed in a specially designed canister, which allows us to measure the volume of gas with high accuracy. It is then shipped to an ECBH laboratory with expertise in this type of analysis. Here, the actual release (desorption) of the total volume of gas is determined in three stages:

• Measurement of desorbed gas
• Determination of residual gas
• Estimation of lost gas

For the first few hours of analysis, the volume of desorbed gas released from the sample is regularly measured at short intervals. This data is later used to estimate the lost gas released during retrieval and handling at the surface. The volume of released gas is measured over increasingly longer intervals until the volume decreases to 0.05 ml/g/day for several days.

Once the sample effectively stops releasing gas, ECBH staff weigh and prepare the sample for the determination of residual gas. Core samples are crushed and the volume of residual gas measured through water displacement. Finally, the volume of lost gas is calculated graphically. Data for a number of variables including drilling medium, drilling times, times for reaching the surface and time sealed in the canister are applied to reach an accurate volume of lost gas. The actual gas content of the sample is calculated by adding the volumes of desorbed gas, residual gas and lost gas.

Contact us to learn how you can assess the availability of value-added methane in your operation.

Iron ore is an important commodity currently in high demand due to population and infrastructure growth in developing countries.

Whether you are involved in iron ore exploration, processing or trade, ECBH provides a comprehensive range of services to support these activities.

ECBH's experts in geochemistry, metallurgy and minerals inspection and trade can improve your operations, reduce costs and enhance product quality. ECBH has the capability to provide you with a wide range of services including:

• Geochemical analysis including Mobile Metal Ion (MMITM)
• High Definition Mineralogy
• Geometallurgy
• Process development 
• Metallurgy, including magnetic separation technologies and beneficiation
• On-site laboratories
• In-plant services
• Trade and inspection
• Sampling
• Auditing and certification 
• Environmental services

Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) geochemistry is a proven advanced geochemical exploration technique known to find mineral deposits. 

It is especially well suited for deeply buried mineral deposits. MMI measures metal ions that travel upward from mineralization to unconsolidated surface materials such soil, till, sand and so on. These mobile metal ions are released from mineralized material and travel upward toward the surface. Using careful soil sampling strategies, sophisticated chemical ligands and ultra sensitive instrumentation, ECBH is able to measure these ions. After interpretation, MMI data can indicate anomalous areas.

There are many benefits to using MMI technology for soil geochemistry:

• Few false anomalies
• Focused, sharp anomalies
• Excellent repeatability
• Definition of metal zones and associations
• Detection of deeply buried mineralization
• Low background values (low noise)
• Low limits of detection

MMI technology is an innovative analytical process that uses a unique approach to the analysis of metals in soils and related materials. Target elements are extracted using weak solutions of organic and inorganic compounds rather than conventional aggressive acid or cyanide-based digests. MMI solutions contain strong ligands, which detach and hold metal ions that were loosely bound to soil particles by weak atomic forces in aqueous solution. This extraction does not dissolve the bound forms of the metal ions. Thus, the metal ions in the MMI solutions are the chemically active or ‘mobile’ component of the sample. Because these mobile, loosely bound complexes are in very low concentrations, measurement is by conventional ICP-MS and the latest evolution of this technology. This allows us to report very low detection limits.

MMI technology uses proprietary extractants. MMI-M is a new, single multi-element leach that now provides an option to measure the concentration of a broad selection of mobile elements. With MMI-M, you can create your own individual multi-element packages, using any or all commodity elements, diamond host rock elements, lithological elements or pathfinder elements. ECBH also offers enhanced detection limits with the MMI-ME package.

Partner with ECBH and use MMI technology for exploration success and more precise drill hole targeting.

ECBH knows the value of your core and we have the technical and logistical skills to partner with you to manage it. Our core services can help you document and maintain the value of this important component of your project.

We offer integrated support at every stage of exploration, development and operations. We know the importance and value of your core – what it represents today and in the future, as your project progresses. Diligent care and use of this key resource includes ensuring:

• Proper handling practices
• Effective documentation of as many chemical and physical parameters as possible
• Maintenance of chain of custody for core, chips, data and samples

SITE-BASED CORE TESTING AND DOCUMENTATION

• Core and chip photography
• Hyperspectral imaging to provide first pass mineralogy and alteration zone targeting
• Core and chip logging
• Rock quality and specific gravity data (RQD and SG)
• Mineral staining
• Logging other physical criteria (e.g. gamma, magnetic, radiation)

LOGISTICS RELATED TO CORE LOGISTICS - HANDLING, MANAGEMENT, STORAGE

• Chain of custody
• Core splitting/sawing
• Sample submission
• Core storage facility management and operation
• Management of core or chip logs and analytical data

MISCELLANEOUS

• Health and safety (field, air and in facility)
• Management and storage of field equipment, samples and analytical pulps

ECBH has experience with lithium mineralogy, metallurgy and processing in support of the recovery of high-grade lithium products from hard rock lithium-bearing minerals such as spodumene.

ECBH offers a multi-disciplinary team that can be involved from the initial stages of the characterization of the lithium deposit right to the production of a market sample of a high-grade lithium product. 

ECBH provides the comprehensive range of testwork capabilities required to extract lithium. These capabilities include:

• Comprehensive high definition mineralogy 
• Comprehensive grindability tests
• Mineral separation (gravity, heavy liquid and heavy media)
• Flotation
• Pyrometallury (concentrate roasting and acid roasting)
• Hydrometallurgy
• Pilot plant testing
• Environmental testing

Lithium is a strategic metal that presents processing challenges due to its low specific gravity, inert nature and poor flotation response. ECBH has the expertise, technologies and experience to help you overcome these and generate an effective processing solution for your project.

Stockpiles must be measured to determine contained volume and weight of the commodity contained within.

ECBH uses Total Station, a state-of-the-art laser-based instrumental method, to measure stockpiles in which the entire surface area is visible. We can then provide you with accurate measurements of mineral stockpiles at ports, refineries, manufacturing facilities or mine sites. This data ensures regulatory compliance and allows you to manage your stock and inventory through rapid on-going calculations.

We work with you to obtain a complete and accurate measurement of the volume and weight of your commodity. Accurate stockpile evaluation and measurement provide you with a number of benefits including:

• Transparent evaluation of the inventory for financial reports, excise duty, loans
• Compliance with national and other regulatory requirements
• Data to help plan and manage your purchasing and stock administration
• Very rapid calculations of inventory, including daily provisional reports

TOTAL STATION STOCKPILE MEASUREMENT

ECBH professionals use the Total Station method to measure either irregular stockpiles formed by dumping or more controlled stockpiles formed by conveyors. We enter the data obtained by measuring your stockpile in the Total Station data logger, and then download it to a PC to calculate the actual volume. The data is also used to generate a contour map of the stockpile using Civil CAD software.

DETERMINING DENSITY AND OVERALL TONNAGE

ECBH technical experts determine the density of your material using drilling and density sensing equipment. Our equipment is operated by dedicated professionals whose primary function is to collect data used to accurately characterize storage pile density. Stockpile density data is used to calculate the overall tonnage of your stockpiles.

 

ECBH is the global technical leader in the field of humidity cell analysis.

We have years of experience helping mining and engineering companies worldwide document the Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) potential of their properties. Our automated laboratories offer complete static and kinetic ARD testing services, with highly trained professionals following fixed testing protocols to ensure reproducible results.

Humidity cell tests are designed to mimic weathering at the laboratory scale in a controlled fashion. The test determines the rate of acid generation, the variation over time in leachate water quality and thus allows you to develop mitigating strategies.

The standard humidity cell test is conducted at the bench scale. The sample is subjected to alternating cycles of dry and moist air to simulate precipitation cycles. The sample is soaked for a specific length of time with deionized water. The water percolates through the sample and is then collected. This leachate is analyzed for a number of parameters including pH, sulfate, acidity, alkalinity, conductivity and metals (including Ca and Mg). The test design can be customized to better account for sample matrix effects by increasing or reducing the particle grain size or altering the shape of the cell and changing the flow rate.

Larger scale cells can test several parameters. The response of coarser samples more typical of waste rock can be assessed.  Various cover design options can be tested and the effectiveness of cover systems in reducing ARD can be assessed. 

Other humidity cell design options that ECBH can support include the addition of bacteria, flooding of the sample, temperature cycling, variation of the humid-dry air cycle, and variable duration of the air/leach cycle. Depending on your circumstances, we can design a testing program to truly reflect your operational site.

Humidity cells test results are reviewed monthly to check progress and determine if extended leaching is required. Tests typically run from 16 to 24 weeks. Tests of longer duration are run to evaluate ARD control options. Such tests are designed to provide data for mitigation strategies, thus lessening the effects of ARD. ARD reactions are complex and ECBH has the technical expertise to help you with the interpretation of your results.

As the ARD generating and neutralizing minerals leach away, the mineralogy of the leach sample will change. ECBH’s high definition mineralogy services provide characterization and documentation of these changes throughout the duration of the test. The integration of our environmental mineralogy expertise gives you a more complete picture of the mineralogical causes of ARD potential and neutralization strategies.

We have a comprehensive range of ARD testing capabilities.

The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) determines the mobility of inorganic contaminants present in a sample and whether the leachates generated would classify the material as "hazardous". The leachant is determined based on the acid neutralization capacity of the sample material. The selected leachant is added to the sample at a 20:1 liquid-to-solids ratio and the sample container is rotated end over end for 18 hours. The resultant slurry is then filtered through a 0.7 µm glass fiber filter and analyzed for total metals.

ECBH is a world leader in cyanide technologies.

We have developed many technologies that help manage and recycle cyanide used in your gold recovery operation. Copper can also be recovered.

Rising costs and rising environmental concerns have led to an increased interest in cyanide recovery and recycling in gold processing operations. SART (sulfidization, acidification, recycling and thickening) is an industry standard process that helps you to efficiently manage and recycle the cyanide in your operation while complying with environmental regulations concerning cyanide destruction.

SART is an adaptation of the time-tested acidification, volatilization, reneutralization (AVR) treatment for gold tailings. It was developed to treat gold plant tailings solutions that contain high concentrations of copper cyanide. Cyanide recovery has a significant impact on the economics of processing high cyanide-consuming copper-gold orebodies since less cyanide is required overall in the plant.

When cyanide is destroyed in a gold recovery operation, the costs and hazards associated with the purchase, delivery and destruction of the reagent represents a substantial portion of total operating costs. This cost can be converted into a new stream of revenue when cyanide and copper are recycled from the tailings and the recovered Cu25 is sold as a by-product. At the same time, savings in the purchase and delivery of new cyanide increase your bottom line. As well, the requirement for less cyanide means less is transported to your site. Overall, SART helps you ensure compliance with environmental regulations concerning cyanide.

There are four steps in the SART process:

• Sulfidization – Sulfur ions are added to the gold tailings
• Acidification – The pH of the solution is lowered to around 4.5. Under these conditions, the copper cyanide complex breaks down completely, releasing the cyanide as HCN gas and converting the copper to the mineral chalcocite (Cu2S)
• Thickening – The chalcocite is thickened and filtered. The mineral is now a saleable by-product
• Recycling – The recycled cyanide is returned to the gold recovery segment of the operation

The SART process has been used successfully at several full-scale mining operations and more plants currently under construction. 

We provide flowsheet development, testing, pilot plant development and ongoing support at full-sized operations using SART and other cyanide recovery processes. Contact us early in your proposal and planning stage to see if SART can improve the bottom line, ensure regulatory compliance in your gold recovery operation and improve your environmental footprint.