Labtium

As an example of our end-to-end service solutions for industry, we present our laboratory in Sodankylä, which serves the Pahtavaara gold mine.

Labtium (GTK Chemical Laboratory) has provided the testing services required by the Pahtavaara goldmine (Terra Mining Oy and Scan Mining Oy) since 1996. The end-to-end service has included sample preparation and Au -assays required in both ore exploration and grade control drilling as well as the testing and analysis services required during the various stages of the ore processing. The mill samples are typically feed, products and tailinig samples  of gravity concentration and flotation circuit, and the analysis of final concentrate. The results have been delivered about 5-6 hours after the lab has received the samples.

Au analysis of geological samples has been previously based on the use of the Fire Assay technique and measurements using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS, Method 705A). However, samples containing metallic, very coarse gold have caused problems with the repeatability of analyses. At the beginning of 2007, we changed over to a new type of sample treatment based on cyanidation. The method is based on the use of the PAL1000 machine. The machine simultaneously pulverises and leaches the sample with cyanide. Currently the weight of the sample to be treated is 500 g with a grain size of <5mm. Actual analysis is still performed using FAAS (Method 236A). The introduction of the new method has improved both the reliability of analyses, with an increase in sample sizes, and delivery times.

The changing needs of customers (incl. processing plant) have driven the development of our services.

Labtium has also provided flexible research support. One example is the RAMAS project of the Geological Survey of Finland. RAMAS assesses arsenic concentrations in Finnish soil (http://www.gtk.fi/projects/ramas/index.php).

The RAMAS project evaluated the risks posed by arsenic in the soil to human beings and the ecosystem as well as the impact of arsenic on the state of the environment. The project examined matters such as the toxicity of arsenic-contaminated soil and water samples on certain organisms and arsenic transport into the environment. A statistical risk assessment of the potential regional adverse effects of arsenic was drafted on the basis of this data and information gleaned from the literature and statistics.

The RAMAS project covered all 33 municipalities of the Province of Pirkanmaa. As the project progressed, information on the occurrence of arsenic from natural sources (surface and ground water, soil, bedrock) and from anthropogenic sources (industry, mines, landfills, etc.) was compiled from data provided by research institutions, public agencies, municipalities and industry. This was the first time that a comprehensive risk management strategy was drafted for such an extensive and diverse region.