NCS Fire Assay Modernisation: Quick Overview
Background
The Namibian Custom Smelter (NCS) Laboratory, established in the 1980s, performs assays on copper concentrate and blister copper. Gold assay is a critical part of their operations.
The task was to create a new facility to meet today’s demands.
Challenge
An audit of the facility revealed that the equipment was outdated and in dire need of replacement.
Solution
An innovative workaround solution was developed to accommodate space limitations.
The following features were implemented:
- Replacement of old furnaces
- Mechanisation of furnace loading and unloading
- Increasing furnace room height for heat reduction
- Extension of the working area
- Installation of fume extraction systems
- Centralisation of fire assay activities, including:
- A dedicated fluxing room with extraction
- A dedicated parting room
- A dedicated balance room
The project was coordinated between internal and external contractors. New fire assay equipment was sourced from Johannesburg. The upgrades were completed in three months without disrupting routine laboratory operations.
Results
The modernisation project resulted in:
- A new fire assay facility with modern equipment
- Improved workflow with centralised, dedicated spaces
- Enhanced safety features
- Increased operational capacity and efficiency
The NCS Laboratory can now determine precious metal concentrations with improved accuracy.
Conclusion
The outdated NCS laboratory was transformed into a modern facility through strategic planning and efficient project management without compromising ongoing operations.
Want more detail? Read our in-depth case study here.
We are proud to now have direct access to the intellectual property and expertise behind this project through our Technical Director, who initially consulted on it. As such, ELS is well-positioned to assist clients with similar laboratory upgrade projects.
