ASD Drives Efficiencies in Mining Exploration and Production Through Rapid, Non-Contact, Non-Destructive Analysis

BOULDER, CO, February 17, 2011 (Press-News.org) ASD, Inc., a global leader in high-performance analytical instrumentation for materials measurement will unveil instruments and solutions capabilities dedicated to mining exploration and production at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Annual Convention in Denver, Feb. 27 through March 2.

"ASD's core reflectance spectroscopy technology is setting new standards for measurement in natural resources processing," said David Rzasa, ASD President and CEO. "Our near-infrared mineral analyzers combined with the expertise of our SummitCAL Solutions Team provide a full solution set to improve mine efficiency, increase yield and realize higher profitability."
At SME, ASD will officially introduce the TerraSpec Explorer for qualitative minerals analysis, the TerraSpec Examiner for quantitative materials analysis, and an over-the-conveyor instrument, the QualitySpec 7000, that provides real-time process data for an entirely new level of visibility and control.

ASD TerraSpec Explorer for Mining Exploration

The name TerraSpec is synonymous with mining exploration and is the leading technology for characterizing mineral deposits. Now called the TerraSpec Explorer, this powerful mineral analyzer is an easy-to-use, field-portable system designed for rapid qualitative characterization of rocks and alteration minerals. It is ideal for deposit mapping, vectoring to mineralization and the analysis of outcrops, hand specimens, core, RC drill chips, and metallurgical pulps—all with little or no sample preparation.

ASD TerraSpec Examiner for Mineral Analysis in Mining Production

In the field or the lab, the rugged yet accurate TerraSpec Examiner provides better visibility into the mining process by identifying quantitative mineralogic and physical property information in real-time, on-site. It has the resolution and performance required for mapping core and analyzing blast chips in mining operations. When paired with calibration models, the Examiner can be used to perform quantitative analysis of mineral resource or ore reserves.

ASD's SummitCAL Solutions Team for Mining Operations

ASD's SumitCAL Solutions Team works with mining operations to develop customized calibration models and instrument calibrations for a location's unique mineral makeup or operational goals, such as reducing acid consumption. SummitCAL saves time and money by providing rapid on-site analysis capabilities, complementing and leveraging expensive and time-consuming off-site lab work.

ASD's QualitySpec 7000 for Mining Production

The QualitySpec 7000 is a high-speed mineral analysis solution for over-the-conveyor-belt mining applications. It can be used to measure moisture, a wide range of minerals including clays, and physical properties simultaneously in real time - allowing geologists and metallurgists to make immediate, valuable process adjustments.

"Using the QualitySpec 7000 at one of our test sites, we've achieved significant, quantitative results and cost savings," said Dr. Brian Curtiss, CTO of ASD. "Instead of pulling samples, taking them to the lab, then making decisions based on stale data, the analysis is performed instantly. Measuring ore using real-time spectroscopic technology on non-uniform, raw material moving fast over a conveyor belt represents a significant productivity advancement for the mining industry."

Dr. Curtiss will be presenting his paper, "Rapid Determination of Ore Properties for Improved Open Pit Mine Operations", at 2:45 PM, Wednesday, March 2, during the SME conference.

The QualitySpec 7000, along with the TerraSpec Explorer and Examiner, will be demonstrated on the show floor at SME in booth #1628.

About ASD
Established in 1990 in Boulder, ASD Inc. is the global leader in high-performance analytical instrumentation solutions, solving some of the most challenging real-world materials measurement problems. ASD spectrometers — unparalleled in providing laboratory-grade results in the field or on-site — are the instruments of choice for remote sensing, environmental sciences, agricultural, mining, pharmaceutical and pulp and paper industry applications, where results drive paradigm-changing insights, efficiency and profit. ASD's collaborative culture and world-class customer service put the best, fastest and most accurate spectroscopic instruments to work for industry and science in more than 70 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.asdi.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Marie Rotter, Metzger Associates
720-833-5925
mrotter@metzger.com