Description

ColdBlock™ Digestion is a unique sample digestion technology that can dissolve geological rock samples into solution, enabling effective multi-element analysis. This technology addresses many of the major issues associated with existing sample digestion methods for both gold and base metals.

ColdBlock™ Digestion is a novel sample digestion technology that utilizes patented focused short-wave infrared radiation (FSWIR). IR lamps are used to emit high energy radiation (heat) to sample particles directly, while a cooling block creates a condensation effect designed to reduce the escape potential of volatile elements and acid.  

Completed in late 2019, the Amira P1196 project confirmed that ColdBlock™ Digestion could deliver a tangible business impact when used alongside analytical instrumentation. It was able to positively impact on the following areas, across all five industry sponsors (Figure 1):

• Energy - reduced power consumption
• Environment – reduced toxic waste (for example lead)
• Safety - reduced exposure to harmful reagents
• Financials - significant reduction in cost

It was also determined that in gold analysis, the ColdBlock™ Digestion method resulted in comparable analytical outcomes in comparison with fire assay, offering improved reproducibility alongside more consistent recovery.

Figure 1. ROI Conclusions P1196 for Gold Application.

The Proposal

The P1196A project will be managed collaboratively by Amira Global and ColdBlock™ Technologies with support from Nucomat and Queens University.

The project’s core objective is the effective incorporation of ColdBlock™ Digestion systems into an automation platform, which includes built-in ventilation while allowing for automated dispensing of up to four acids.  

A minimum of a 24 -Channel ColdBlock™ Digestion system is to be integrated into a Nucomat automation system, creating automated digestion and work-up system. This automated system will provide high-throughput in corrosive environments while being able to accommodate sample sizes up to 30 g/channel (Figure 2).  

Purpose

Figure 2. Illustrative of Gen-3 ColdBlock™ Digestion with automation.

A minimum of five participating companies is necessary for the final project proposal to be triggered. This proposal will incorporate the following deliverables:

1.  Ownership of a minimum 24-channel ColdBlock™ Digestion system within an automated 4-acid dispensing system with extraction.
2. Validation of the technology proving unmatched speed, high accuracy and reproducibility, ease of use, and significantly higher operational efficiency and productivity within their own organisation.
3. Elevated safety with reduced exposure to harmful reagents.
4. Access to extensive data to determine the accuracy and precision of system.
5. Technical and Economic Analysis (TEA Report) showing substantial cost savings within the project timelines.

Opportunity and Benefits

1. This technology will bring the following benefits to your organization:
   1. Substantial cost reduction in sample preparation for precious metals and base metals (50% average cost reduction vs. Fire Assay).
   2. Elevated workplace safety by reducing the handling of dangerous reagents.
   3. Elevated productivity and efficiency with unmatched sample throughput.
   4. Additional benefits for gold application are 1) elimination of lead waste and 2) elimination of lead contamination to workers.
2. The project benefits include:
   1. Being on the forefront of this pioneering technology. Ownership of proven and validated products, product installation, training, method validation for real-world samples and generation of ROI report (a turn-key solution).
   2. Highly discounted technology in lieu of funding by the Government of Ontario.
   3. Participate in Amira Global collaboration and networking; Amira Global oversight to ensure that the objectives and deliverables of the project are met; access to ongoing innovation; access to the pooled data that is generated from the project.
   4. Speeds up time to analysis and decision making.

The following organisations will benefit from sponsoring this project:

1. Mining operators: mining operations with existing on-site laboratories looking for a substantial improvement in efficiency, productivity and workplace safety.
2. Exploration companies and drilling companies seeking future on-site and near real-time analytics to improve data turn around and help target exploration drilling will benefit from defining specifications.
3. Commercial laboratories serving the mining industry looking to improve safety, reduce costs and productivity.
4. Government Research Laboratories

Commercialization Arrangements

ColdBlock™ Technologies and Nucomat own the ColdBlock™ Sample Digestion and Nucomat Automation intellectual property (IP) respectively.

Project Budget and Sponsorship

The project’s budget is $122,354 USD per sponsor.   It is expected that the project will begin in the fourth quarter of 2020, lasting approximately 12 months or less, per participant.

Mining operations, commercial laboratories, exploration operations, and government agencies can access sponsorship at the budgeted cost price. Any regulatory agencies that wish to sponsor will be offered a special sponsorship.

Amira Global delivers projects to its members, and a mechanism is in place which allows eligible sponsors to become members of Amira Global, remaining members of the duration of the project.

A $300,000 USD in-kind contribution of ColdBlock™ will be provided by the Ontario government. This includes:

• $162,000 USD by the Government of Ontario, via OCE, for the ColdBlock™ product design, engineering, and automation
• $115,000 USD by ColdBlock™ for product design and engineering
• $25,000+ USD for participants to further support the implementation of Technology and Economic Assessment (TEA) / ROI evaluations

Register to see more details of the project and to submit an expression of interest