The results of samples and their mineral content drilled at the Busai and Kulumadau areas of the Woodlark Mine, in Milne Bay, will be made known soon.
This is due to the establishment of an independent laboratory on the island which has already begun testing the samples.
Operators of Woodlark Mine, Geopacific Resources Limited, say the first ‘assay’ results are imminent which are prepared by Intertek who operate the laboratory at Woodlark.
‘Assay’ refers to the chemical analysis of a mineral or ore sample to ascertain its content of precious metals or minerals, such as gold, copper, or uranium.
The Intertek Laboratory is independent of Woodlark with supervision and quality control monitored by Intertek staff.
Collected sampled are sent to the Intertek Labs for initial testing and preparation and then sent to Cairns for further analysis.
Geopacific Managing Director, Ron Heeks, says “having an independent laboratory on site is efficient and cost effective. It allows samples to be prepared on site as drilling occurs and means that only small samples need to be flown to cairns for analysis – important when you’re on an island.”
Intertek is a leading total quality assurance provider to industries worldwide with over 100 laboratories and office in more than 100 countries.
It has a long association with the project, responsible for on-site preparation and external analysis of drill samples since 2002.
Picture: Sample preparation laboratory at Bomogai Camp, Woodlark. (Geopacific Resources Limited)