A Milestone for Automated Mineralogy
SGS, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, has reached a major milestone in Automated Mineralogy. The company recently inaugurated Tescan TIMA #100 at its Santiago laboratory in Chile, reinforcing its position at the forefront of mineral characterization.
Tescan TIMA: Powering SGS’s Global Mineral Characterization
SGS has relied on Tescan TIMA for years to deliver high-precision automated mineralogy services. TIMA is a specialized scanning electron microscope designed for automated mineralogical analysis, combining advanced imaging and EDS technology to provide detailed insights into mineral phases, grain size, liberation degree, and elemental distribution.
Expanding Mineralogy Capabilities in Chile
Today, SGS operates worldwide in Chile, Canada, and South Africa. These systems analyze samples from across the globe, with a strong focus on South American deposits. While SGS works with all types of mineral resources (including gold, silver, PGM, REE, and lithium), Chile’s primary interest remains copper, a cornerstone of its mining industry.
The ribbon was cut by Mauricio Belmar (Manager of the Mineralogy and Materials Characterization Center at SGS Minerals) and Mauricio Domcke (Business Director at SGS).
Celebrating the 100th TIMA Installation
The Santiago lab now ranks among the best-equipped facilities for automated mineralogy globally, running TIMA systems on multiple shifts for nearly 100% utilization. This capability enables SGS to deliver rapid, reliable mineralogical data essential for optimizing ore processing and improving recovery rates.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by senior SGS executives and representatives from the Chilean government, underscoring the strategic importance of this investment. The event was led by Mauricio Belmar, Manager of the Mineralogy and Materials Characterization Center at SGS Minerals, and Mauricio Domcke, Business Director at SGS.
Driving Innovation and Industry Collaboration
This milestone highlights SGS’s commitment to innovation and excellence, leveraging cutting-edge technology like Tescan TIMA to support the mining industry with unparalleled mineralogical insights.