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Nickel & Iron Ore Analysis Specialists

Intertek Minerals Services

Intertek offers world class service to Nickel Laterite and Iron Ore producers, supporting them through exploration, resource
definition, mining and production, to shipment and certification.

Intertek’s leading expertise and state-of-art facilities offer an extensive range of services. Industry experts in XRF and
XRD support local and global operations, producing quality reliable data with the reassurance of years of experience
and a proven track record. Dedicated teams offer turnaround times to meet grade control requirements and offer a
cost effective alternative to producers.

Your XRF Technology Partner

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) is the preferred method of analysis for Nickel and Iron Ore samples. Accuracy, long term
reproducibility and high throughput means that XRF is unparalleled in the modern geochemical laboratory for the analysis
of the major components of Nickel Laterites and Iron Ores.

Pulped samples are mixed with a borate based flux and made into fusion disks using high temperature furnaces. The use of
fusion disks eliminates physical effects (such as particle size) which can compromise the accuracy of other methods, such as
pressed powder XRF analyses. High quality data is produced using sequential wavelength-dispersive instrumentation. Single
point LOI is determined at 1000ºc.
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Nickel Laterite Ore XRF Packages

The oxidised nature of nickel laterite ore and the low sulphur contents make XRF with a single point LOI an ideal technique
for the chemical characterisation of these ores. XRF can accurately quantify the nickel and cobalt contents of the ore,
important trace elements such as cobalt and zinc, as well as the major oxide components which are used to classify the
laterite ore type. Nickel laterite ores can be hygroscopic with high moisture contents, moisture is therefore corrected for
routinely and all results are reported on a dry basis (105ºc).

Nickel Laterite Ore XRF Package

Element Range % Element Range % Element Range %
Ni 0.005 - 20 Fe2O3 0.01 - 100 P2O5 0.002 - 100
Co 0.005 - 5 K2O 0.01 - 100 SiO2 0.01 - 100
Al2O3 0.01 - 100 MgO 0.01 - 100 SO3 0.002 - 100
CaO 0.01 - 100 MnO 0.01 - 100 TiO2 0.01 - 100
Cr2O3 0.005 - 100 Na2O 0.01 - 100 LOI 1000ºC 0.01 - 100
Ni laterite package Li borate fusion / XRF FB1/XRF40

Nickel Laterite Ore XRF Extended Suite Package

Suitable for exploration and resource modeling as well as quantification of additional accessory and deleterious elements.
These elements are less abundant in most iron ores however, they may affect the quality of the ore if present in significant
quantities.

Nickel Laterite Extended Suite – Standard Detection Limits XRF Package

Element Range % Element Range % Element Range %
Ni 0.005 - 20 Cu 0.005 - 5 SO3 0.001 - 40
Al2O3 0.01 - 100 K2O 0.01 - 100 SiO2 0.01 - 100
As 0.005 - 5 MgO 0.01 - 100 TiO2 0.01 - 100
BaO 0.005 - 5 MnO 0.01 - 100 V2O5 0.005 - 10
CaO 0.01 - 100 Na2O 0.01 - 100 Zn 0.005 - 5
Cl 0.005 - 5 Fe2O3 0.01 - 100 LOI 1000ºC 0.01 - 100
Co 0.005 - 5 P2O5 0.001 - 45
Cr2O3 0.005 - 10 Pb 0.005 - 5
Ni Laterite extended package Li borate fusion / XRF FB1/XRF141
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Iron Ore Packages

Intertek offers expert chemical (X-Ray Fluorescence) locally and mineralogical (X-Ray Diffraction) analysis from our Perth
laboratory tailored to the Iron Ore industry. Intertek’s team of Iron Ore experts are leaders in their fields and are readily
available for client consultation and support. Power X-Ray diffraction (XRD) is a complimentary analytical technique
primarily employed for the identification of crystalline materials. Each crystalline solid has its unique characteristic X-Ray
power pattern which may be used as a “fingerprint” for its identification allowing identification and quantification of the
different minerals present such as hematite, goethite, magnetite, quartz. Additional mineralogy services include Davis Tube
Recovery (DTR) separations and testing are also available in Perth.
Intertek offers two packages for Iron Ore analysis - a Basic Suite and an Extended Suite. All results are reported on a dry
weight basis (105ºc).

Basic Iron Ore Package

Element Range % Element Range % Element Range %
Fe 0.01 - 75 MgO 0.01 - 100 SiO2 0.01 - 100
Al2O3 0.01 - 100 MnO 0.01 - 100 TiO2 0.01 - 100
CaO 0.01 - 100 Na2O 0.01 - 100 V2O5 0.005 - 10
Cr2O3 0.005 - 10 P2O5 0.001 - 45 LOI 1000ºC 0.01 - 100
K2O 0.01 - 100 SO3 0.001 - 40
Fe ore basic package Li borate fusion / XRF FB1/XRF10

This basic XRF iron ore suite is intended to quantify the essential major and minor oxide components of an iron ore sample.
It includes the most important deleterious elements such as S, P and Ti. The V content can be used to infer the mineralogy
of the ore. A single LOI value at 1000ºc is determined thermo gravimetrically. Three point LOI and divalent iron (FeO) by
titration are optional extra analysis.
Data from the basic suite are suitable for exploration and resource modeling purposes.

Extended Suite – Standard Detection Limits

Element Range (%) Element Range (%) Element Range (%)
Fe 0.01 - 75 K2O 0.01 - 100 Sn 0.005 - 5
Al2O3 0.01 - 100 MgO 0.01 - 100 Sr 0.005 - 5
As 0.005 - 5 MnO 0.01 - 100 TiO2 0.01 - 100
BaO 0.005 - 5 Na2O 0.01 - 100 V2O5 0.005 - 10
CaO 0.01 - 100 Ni 0.005 - 20 Zn 0.005 - 5
Cl 0.005 - 5 P2O5 0.001 - 45 Zr 0.005 - 5
Co 0.005 - 5 Pb 0.005 - 5 LOI 1000ºC 0.01 - 100
Cr2O3 0.005 - 10 SO3 0.001 - 40
Cu 0.005 - 5 SiO2 0.01 - 100
Fe ore extended package Li borate fusion / XRF FB1/XRF11

The extended iron ore suite offers a number of additional trace elements which may also be deleterious, including As, Ba,
Cl, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn, and Zr. A single LOI value at 1000ºc is determined thermo gravimetrically. Three point LOI and
divalent iron (FeO) by titration are optional extra analyses. Data from the extended suite are suitable for exploration and
resource modeling as well as quantification of additional accessory and deleterious elements. While such elements are less
abundant in most iron ores, they may affect the quality of the ore if present in significant quantities.
Lower detection limits option available at additional cost.
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Robotics and Automated XRD Analysis

Minerals Laboratory Systems To complement the XRF (X-Ray
Intertek is the leading provider of fully
automated iron ore mine-site and port
solutions with automation specialists
supporting both client dedicated and
commercial facilities, critical to the
minerals and mining industries facing
increasingly complex challenges.
Intertek’s automated and robotic sample
systems are purpose built, ranging
from individual cells to fully integrated
systems, providing complete end-to-end
sampling to analysis solutions.
Using advanced robotic technology
for minerals testing has distinct
advantages, including rapid
sample throughput, unparalleled
consistency, exclusion of human
error, a comprehensive audit trail,
synchronised process control, reliability
and fully programmable comminution
parameters. Programmable parameters
ensure that ores obtain the requisite
treatment consistently.
Fluorescence) service available
locally, Intertek offers expert
mineralogical (X-Ray Diffraction)
analysis from our Perth laboratory.
Intertek’s team of XRD experts are
leaders in their fields and are readily
available for client consultation and
support. Powder X-Ray diffraction
(XRD) is a complimentary analytical
technique primarily employed for the
identification of crystalline materials.
Each crystalline solid has its unique
characteristic X-Ray powder pattern
which may be used as a “fingerprint”
for its identification allowing
identification and quantification of
the different minerals present such as
hematite, goethite, magnetite, quartz.
Additional mineralogy services include
Davis Tube Recovery (DTR) separations
and testing are also available.

Minerals Inspection and Surveying

Intertek’s extensive global network provides independent inspection,
surveying and testing services to protect the quantity and quality of high value
commodities for Intertek’s clients.
Weighing and inspection for conformity, sampling, sample preparation and
commercial testing, are completed to international standards for certification.

Mine Site and Port Minerals Laboratories

Intertek designs, commissions and operates dedicated site laboratories in
remote locations, key mining regions and ports. Site laboratory services range
from basic sample preparation facilities through to full service analytical
laboratories and automated robotic facilities.
Intertek’s laboratories are run by experienced personnel with support from an
extensive global laboratory network offering fast, accurate and independent
analysis enabling clients to focus on their core business with the reassurance
of a recognised independent service leader.

Philippines Contact Details

PAO Accredited Testing Laboratory
PNS ISO/IEC 17025:2005
www.intertek.com
Becky Torre
Minerals Business Development Manager
Philcrest 1 Compound,
KM 23 West Service Road, Cupang, Munitiulupa City
Telephone: +63 2 842 3464 Fax: +63 2 842 5745
Mobile: +63 920 952 7102 Email: min.phl.man@intertek.com