As the mining industry evolves, adopting techniques that optimise resource extraction and minimise environmental impact is crucial to remain competitive and meet growing demand for responsible mining practices. Enhancing mining operations with precise analytical techniques is also essential to improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure sustainability.
Integrating metrological expertise with industry needs, the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) provides the mining industry with services including materials characterisation, radiation testing, environmental monitoring and gas management and others that support compliance with health and safety standards through its five laboratories specifically dedicated to the industry among 25 accredited laboratories.
NMISA’s materials characterisation and optimisation service for the mining industry involves analysing the quality and structure of minerals and value-added products. This is achieved through techniques such as X-ray diffraction, which identifies the crystal structure of minerals and is instrumental in determining the mineral composition of ores, rocks and soil samples as well as their crystalline structures. This is complemented by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), which provides high-resolution imaging of surface features at microscopic level. When combined with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, SEM helps determine the elemental composition of samples, offering detailed insights into material properties. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry is subsequently employed to measure trace element concentrations, which is important for environmental monitoring.
To enable mining operations to perform effective environmental monitoring, NMISA’s services include gas reference mixtures for monitoring harmful gases and calibration of monitoring equipment to ensure accurate measurements. This involves detecting heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium in soil and water as well as identifying organic pollutants like dioxins in mine tailings.
The institute also assists the mining industry with radiation testing to measure radiation levels in various environmental media including air, water and soil to enable mining operations to ensure the safety and well-being of workers and nearby communities. This leads to the implementation of precautions and controls including shielding, ventilation systems and the provision of personal protective equipment.
In addition to its core metrology services, NMISA also offers training and calibration services designed to support the mining industry’s growth and regulatory compliance. The NMISA Training Centre provides instruction in metrology, science and related subjects, available on-site and online. The courses cover diverse topics including metrology, laser safety, ISO quality systems and instrumental analysis. Custom training solutions to address specific client needs are also offered.
