Physical Testing

Accurate testing of the physical properties of rocks and other commodities is vital to determining the best processing and recovery methods for your ore. Globally, SGS provides a comprehensive range of physical testing services a wide range of materials. The SGS global team provides a full range of physical testing services in accordance with internationally recognized standards.

SGS experts worldwide work in well-equipped laboratories and facilities to test the physical parameters of your samples. Our testing services include bench tests, flowsheet development and pilot plant studies for your samples:

• Grain Size Analysis
  Grain, size analysis is a practical and straightforward process that provides you with critical data need to make informed processing decisions.  In grain size analysis, your prepared sample is separated into particles of different sizes through screening, sieving, cyclosizer, laser and a range of other proven and reliable techniques.
  
  
• Specific Gravity & Bulk Density
  “Specific gravity” is the density of a material relative to water.  Since rocks are comprised of several distinct mineral phases, they do not have a fixed specific gravity. Instead, a rock’s “bulk density” arises as a result of the percentage of all minerals in a sample multiplied by the specific gravity of each. SGS has extensive experience determining these parameters, including identifying mineral phases using QEMSCAN®.
  
  
• Magnetic Separation
  Magnetic separation is based on differences in the magnetic susceptibility of various minerals. This well-established separation technique has become increasingly popular with new equipment enhancing the range of separations
  
  
• Electrostatic Separation
  Electrostatic separation is a dry separation technique, based on the reaction of mineral grains when exposed to a high tension or electrostatic field. The process is commonly used in the mineral sands industry, but also has applications in the tantalum, tin and garnet industries. 
  
  
• Heavy Liquid Separation (HLS)The separation of mineral sands exploits the natural physical properties of the various mineral types, which behave differently under various conditions.  We are experienced in several types of heavy liquid separation, and use the method best suited to your sample.
  
  
• Dense media separation (DMS)
  SGS experts provide dense media separation (DMS) services for gold, diamonds and other gems and heavy minerals with a fully serviced and permitted processing facility.
  
  
• Gravity Separation
  Gravity separation is the most commonly used technique for concentrating minerals. Due to its high efficiency and low cost, gravity separation is always the first consideration in any flowsheet development program.
  
  
• Grindability
  SGS has wide range of grinding tests that are used for grinding circuit design, optimization and production forecasting during development or operations. We have global experience with large and small grinding circuits, including the largest operating grinding circuit in the world.
  
  
• Rheology
  SGS experts use state-of-the-art rheological testing and procedures to characterize the plasticity and flow of materials in many industrial processes.

Rely on SGS to provide you with the accurate, third party physical testing results that you need to make informed flowsheet, processing and optimization decisions for your project or operation.