Capacity & Resources
Mining laboratory performance
Know your capacity.
Find the constraint.
Improve the system.
Sirius Analytical helps mining and exploration companies understand, build and improve the laboratory systems behind critical operational and commercial decisions.
Sirius project · Chingola, Zambia
~60 → ~10
days
Average analytical turnaround time~6,000/month
designed laboratory capacity
16 people
operating laboratory team
Fire Assay + ICP
in-country analytical capability
What We Solve
Laboratory problems become mining problems.
Do we actually have enough laboratory capacity?
Capacity modelling
Why is turnaround deteriorating?
Workflow and constraint analysis
Are we paying too much for analytical capability?
Cost and operating-model analysis
Should we outsource, internalise or consolidate?
Operating-model evaluation
Are laboratory results reliable enough for decisions?
Analytical performance and QA/QC
Should we repair, replace or add equipment?
Asset utilisation and CAPEX analysis
Sirius project · Chingola, Zambia
From outsourced analysis to owned analytical capability.
An exploration operation needed a practical alternative to sending gold and multi-element samples to South Africa.
Sirius assessed the operating model, designed the laboratory, coordinated the build and commissioning, and remained responsible through operation.
Explore Chingola
The Sirius method
A repeatable method. An operation-specific answer.
- 01
Diagnose
Demand, workflow, quality, cost, resources and constraints.
- 02
Model
Capacity, turnaround, staffing, equipment and scenario options.
- 03
Design
Operating model, workflow, systems, infrastructure and resource plan.
- 04
Implement
People, equipment, procedures, LIMS and controls.
- 05
Sustain
KPIs, QA/QC, governance and continuous improvement.
Experience behind the methodology
A laboratory transformation in practice.
Leadership experience prior to Sirius Analytical
Reassess the model. Establish control. Improve the system.
Bisha’s contractor-to-owner transition connects the operating decision with people, independent systems, cost visibility, facility improvements and analytical control.
US$875kapproximately, in projected savings identified in the operating-model business case
Explore the Bisha EvidenceAnalytical and economic consequences
A small analytical bias can affect a much larger mining decision.
Leadership experience prior to Sirius Analytical
Reliable reconciliation starts with reliable analytical information.
The Bisha investigation connected zinc-concentrate assay discrepancies with preparation calculations, drift monitoring and method validation.
This is why laboratory performance matters beyond the laboratory: the information supports operational and commercial decisions.
Explore the EvidenceSolutions
A defined product for the question that matters.
0102030405
Laboratory Performance Diagnostic
Find the causes of late information, recurring quality issues and unclear laboratory performance.
Capacity & Resource Model
Test whether equipment, people and shifts can meet normal, peak and future analytical demand.
Laboratory Network & Operating Model
Compare consolidation, centralisation, outsourcing, insourcing and hybrid arrangements against the operation’s requirements.
Build, Transition & Operate
Create new laboratory capability or transfer an existing service into an agreed operating arrangement.
Analytical Performance System
Connect capacity, turnaround, productivity, quality, asset performance and cost with clear responsibilities and regular review.
People and operations
People make the operating system work.
Procedures, equipment and data become dependable capability through the people using them.
Training, defined responsibilities, quality controls and day-to-day supervision are part of laboratory delivery.
Explore People & Operations
Insights
Questions worth examining.
Operating Models
When should a mine internalise analytical capability?
Read the InsightAnalytical Confidence
What does analytical bias mean for reconciliation?
Read the InsightStart with the operational question
Understand what is limiting your laboratory.
Tell us what your operation needs to understand or improve.