During the business case development, technological and economic questions arise: deposit extent and reserve quality, mineralogical characteristics, application potential, production costs, and market values.
Addressing these questions, GCE has developed a full project value chain that offers expert support from exploration through quality evaluation and tailor-made process design to market introduction and testing for end user approval by potential customers.
We use our unique combination of a fully equipped technical center, analytical facilities, and strong contacts in downstream industries to thoroughly evaluate and process technical samples. This provides the unique opportunity to acquire end user support and real market prices – the ultimate risk management for any speciality industrial minerals project.
For details about our services, please click on the value chain below.
Estimation of potential ore resources is one of the first steps. Our experts apply in-depth knowledge of specific geological settings so important to be recognized during the exploration stage.
With a wide range of exploration methods, GCE has the capability to undertake economically and environmentally sound resource evaluation. Customized service and support includes the design and monitoring of sampling campaigns, deciding what exploration techniques to deploy, and determining what drilling and trenching programs are required.
In close collaboration with our specialist in-house analytical team we guarantee the high standard of our chemical and mineralogical assessment, the evaluation of field studies, and certified sample and drill core analyses. Reliable quantitative distribution of individual mineral raw material(s) in the host rock matrix and determination of technical and economically achievable quality are essential factors in the evaluation of in-ground values.
Once the resource is defined, the quality of its valued mineral content and potential applications are key factors in determining reserve caliber. Speciality minerals require several processing steps in order to fully evaluate their potential market applications.
GCE not only analyzes variations in the raw mineral rock matrix, but also provides complete quality assessment studies based on advanced beneficiation tests and in-depth knowledge of required specifications for potential market applications. Significantly, during bench scale and pilot tests, GCE goes far beyond initial characterization to identify probable products and market applications.
The unique combination of a well equipped mineral processing technical center, together with our internationally certified and accredited in-house laboratory, provides a solid basis for quality evaluation. Here, GCE applies specific know-how for the processing of industrial minerals, including advanced technology for comminution and classification, mineral separation, and chemical beneficiation.
Whilst many industrial minerals deploy off-the-shelf technology solutions most speciality minerals require tailored processes and specially designed equipment, e.g. adapted to high purity requirements or trace concentrations. But, as GCE is independent from any machinery manufacturer, our tailor-made processing concepts are carefully adjusted to investment costs and quality requirements.
Based on long-term experience and up-to-date know-how, our Basic Engineering services cover all the technology and economic details e.g. estimation of investment costs, main machinery along with technical data and unit price. Processing tests are carried out at our technical center or at carefully selected equipment companies to calculate mass balances, energy requirements, and specific production costs. Our engineers design detailed process flow sheets including 3D installation drawings.
Finally, GCE offers continuing support during the realization phase as supervisor of plant construction and initial start-up.
A precise and sustainable definition of the product split, in terms of relevant chemistry and appropriate physical characteristics, and end user acceptance are two prerequisites for the success of any minerals-based project. End user approval of processed samples at potential qualities is the ultimate, and necessary, risk management process.
GCE is well established in the industrial minerals business to effectively manage this risk as we use first hand know-how about the requirements to be met in introducing speciality mineral products to market.
From our in-house technical center, technical scale batches are processed from our customers’ raw materials for end user application tests in order to verify potential commercial applications. GCE provides the full service – from arranging the first meeting, preparing an industry specific project presentation, to the evaluation and discussion of results with end user customer experts.
GCE further supports the market introduction and penetration of many of our customer’s products. The initial results of end user evaluation create marketing tools such as application studies and specific data sheets required for a wider customer approach in a coordinated marketing campaign.
Very precise market evaluation and risk management becomes feasible when using the GCE technical center for sample production, the GCE laboratory for certification, and the GCE network for end user approval of potential products.
Owing to our long term reputation in many speciality minerals projects GCE offers high caliber contacts in the purchasing and technical departments of the world’s leading consumers of speciality mineral products.
Read More >>
- 75 Edridge Rd, Croydon, Greater London, CR0 1EJ
- 0745-230-4089
- Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 18:00