The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has unveiled Intertek’s PhotonAssay gold testing technology which is a non-distractive testing with about 97 accuracy rate and tests without the use of Lead.
The Deputy Lands Minister, George Mireku Duker, while commissioning the Intertek PhotonAssay testing Laboratory at Tarkwa for the mining industry said the PhotonAssay’s fast testing ability for gold in a non-distractive manner is a game changer for a driving investment and sustainable mining industry in Ghana.
“Assaying minerals is a vital process in determining the grade and purity standards of deposits, which are required for investment decision-making. When assay results indicate the potential value of a mineral or ore extraction site, it triggers a stock increase and value reassessment for the company.
The PhotonAssay Laboratory, I am told, is a revolutionary analytical technique that ushers in a new era of speed, accuracy, and safety in gold analysis. One of the notable features and capabilities of the PhotonAssay technology is the delivery of results in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods. This speed can significantly improve decision-making processes in mining operations“, he said.
While commending Intertek for for introducing the advanced gold Assaying technology to the mining Industry, the Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister also applauded Interteks support of the UMaT as well as the Green Ghana Project.
“I commend Intertek Minerals for being adjudged the Best Tax Payer for 2022 by the Ghana Revenue Authority for the Tarkwa Operational Area and currently 100% tax compliant. Again, for supporting the Green Ghana initiative and signing an MoU with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) to offer a fully funded scholarship to 2 students annually in Minerals Engineering as well as operating with a 100% Ghanaian staff who run the Management and its operations”, he added.
The General Manager of Intertek, Sampson Koduah told Citi News, that because of the potential capital-intensive and risky nature of the mining industry, optimization, cost control, innovation and resilience are required as pillars of mining development strategies along its entire value chain, hence the Intertek PhotonAssay is critically timely.
He added that PhotoAssay can generate gold analysis results within 2 minutes in an environmentally friendly manner.
“One positive thing about the PhotonAssay technology is the turnaround time. Gold finding is becoming very difficult and investors need immediate results to make quick decisions, and with this technology, the turnaround time is great. Within two minutes you get results from a sample. Also, we are all trying to get mining to be sustainable. With other technologies like FireAssay, you need to use some leads, whereas with this, you don’t use anything. The sample is not distractive and very sustainable. It’s more green compared to other methods.“, he emphasized.
The Senior Vice President of Intertek in charge of Minerals and Exploitation, John Fawler, on his part said the PhotonAssay Laboratory stands as a testament of Intertek’s commitment to providing unparalleled services to the mining and minerals sector.
Director General for Ghana Geological Survey, Isaac Mwimbelle, while noting the significant importance of the PhotonAssay technology, also praised Intertek for its immense contribution to upgrading Ghana’s mineral extraction systems over the years.
“I wish to acknowledge the crucial role of Intertek Minerals Ltd. in exploration activities in Ghana for various minerals, especially Gold and most recently Lithium, one of the critical minerals globally being sought after. Intertek’s Tarkwa site has become a hub for other mineral exploration in West Africa. This new Technology marks further investment to support the mining supply chain in Ghana and use its Tarkwa hub as a base for other minerals exploration in West Africa.“, he said.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah who has been very optimistic about the mining industry’s growth welcomed the Intertek PhotonAssay as a good development for the mining sector.
The Vice-Chancellor of UMaT, Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah adding his voice congratulated
congratulated Intertek, for being the leading Total Quality Assurance provider to the Ghanaian mining industry.
