From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 11: Quality Control and R&D

QMAG’s commitment to quality is found throughout the various stages of production. This includes every stage of the production process, from magnesite exploration drill analysis all the way through to final product testing and everything in between. QMAG utilises state of the art testing equipment combined with the use of internationally recognised standards (ISO, EN, ASTM) as well as internally developed test methods.

At our Kunwarara mine site, core drill analysis and in process and final stockpile magnesite samples are tested for particle size analysis and chemical analysis using fused glass bead XRF analysis.

Our Parkhurst processing plant laboratory contains equipment to ensure the highest quality materials are supplied. In process and final products are tested for chemical properties using fused glass bead XRF analysis. QMAG’s modern XRF analysers are independently calibrated using globally recognised certified reference materials, and then checked for accuracy and consistency on a daily basis. Other critical test methods used are specific surface area, acid reactivity and both sieve and laser particle size analysis. In addition, grain bulk density and periclase crystal size are analysed for each batch of deadburned and electrofused magnesia produced.

The in-process testing ensures that the production parameters and final products are produced to meet both technical specifications, but also customer’s expectations. QMAG’s laboratories operate 365 days per year and in the past 12 months have analysed over 18,000 individual samples. This constant focus on quality control ensures the highest and most consistent products are supplied to our customers.