Laboratory Testing
Leach Testing
Woods Process Services Laboratory offers a comprehensive range of leach testing methods designed to evaluate metal recovery and support process optimization for gold, silver, copper and other metal ores.
Our capabilities include bottle roll cyanidation tests for quick, small-scale evaluation of leach kinetics and recovery potential. For more representative, long-term testing, we perform column leach tests, which simulate heap leach conditions to assess recovery curves, percolation behavior, and solution flow dynamics.
We also conduct gravity scalp bottle rolls, which incorporate a gravity separation step prior to cyanidation to determine the impact of removing coarse gold on overall recovery. Diagnostic leaching is available to help identify the mineralogical associations of unrecovered gold and guide refractory classification or treatment options.
Cyanide shake tests provide a rapid screening method for evaluating cyanide-soluble gold content, useful for characterizing variability across samples or composites. We also perform acid and consumption testing to determine reagent requirements and support leach pad design or process cost modeling.
Each test program is tailored to project-specific needs and includes detailed sampling plans, time-based recovery tracking, and comprehensive reporting.
Gravity Separation
Gravity separation plays a critical role in evaluating and recovering coarse gold and other high-density minerals. At Woods Process Services Laboratory, we offer a full suite of gravity testing services to support process design, recovery optimization, and circuit troubleshooting.
Our gravity recovery optimization programs use centrifugal concentration to assess the effectiveness of gravity separation across varying grind sizes and ore types. These tests help identify opportunities for early gold recovery, reduce chemical consumption downstream, and improve overall metallurgical performance.
We perform GRG (Gravity Recoverable Gold) analysis to quantify how much gold can be recovered through gravity methods. This staged test is essential for understanding gold liberation and guiding gravity circuit design.
To complement test work, we provide microphotographs of gravity concentrates, capturing detailed imagery of gold particles to help identify mineral associations, particle morphology, and potential losses due to locking or poor liberation.
Our gravity test work is tailored to your ore and recovery goals, offering practical insights for circuit design and metallurgical decision-making.
Flotation Testing
Woods Process Services Laboratory provides flotation testing programs designed to evaluate and optimize recovery of gold and base metals from complex ores. Our work supports both flowsheet development and operational improvement through precise control of reagents, circuit configuration, and metallurgical analysis.
We conduct both bulk and selective flotation testing for a wide range of metals, including gold, copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel. These tests help determine the best approach for recovering target metals while minimizing losses and controlling dilution.
Our team performs reagent screening and dosage optimization to identify the most effective collectors, frothers, and modifiers for your specific mineralogy. We fine-tune conditions to maximize grade and recovery while reducing reagent costs and environmental impact.
We also support rougher-cleaner-scavenger circuit development, simulating staged flotation to optimize separation efficiency, control concentrate quality, and improve recovery across multiple products. Circuit configuration is tailored to your project goals—whether targeting a single metal or managing multiple streams.
Each flotation program includes full mass balance calculations and detailed recommendations for process improvement.
Comminution &
Physical Characterization
Understanding the physical characteristics of an ore is essential for effective process design and metallurgical testing. At Woods Process Services Laboratory, we offer a range of comminution and material characterization services to support grinding circuit optimization, leach performance, and sample representativity.
Our work begins with head screen analysis and size-by-assay to evaluate gold or metal distribution across size fractions, which is critical for identifying where recoverable metal is concentrated. We also utilize laser particle size analysis to provide high-resolution data on fine particle distributions, particularly useful for flotation and leaching performance evaluations.
We conduct crush and grind size optimization studies to determine the ideal target size for liberation while minimizing energy consumption. These studies inform equipment selection and processing conditions for both laboratory and plant-scale applications.
Additional services include specific gravity and moisture content determination, which are important for mass balance, reagent dosing, and material handling considerations. We also perform slimes and clay quantification, helping identify potential percolation or settling issues that could impact heap leaching, flotation, or thickening performance.
These tests provide a foundational understanding of your ore’s behavior, enabling data-driven decisions across the entire flowsheet.
Solution & Solids Analysis
Accurate analytical data is essential for understanding metallurgical performance and making informed decisions. At Woods Process Services Laboratory, we provide a full range of analytical coordination services for both solid and solution samples, ensuring high-quality data to support your test programs.
For precious metals, we coordinate fire assay analysis (Au/Ag) with reputable external laboratories to ensure accurate and defensible gold and silver reporting. We also offer multi-element analysis via ICP-OES, providing detailed trace and major element data across a broad spectrum of metals.
Our in-house and coordinated analysis capabilities include atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA) for rapid, precise determination of key elements such as copper, iron, and silver. We perform solution speciation, including ferrous/ferric (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) differentiation, to support redox-sensitive systems like leaching and SX/EW.
For geochemical and process modeling needs, we offer whole-rock analysis to characterize bulk composition and support ore classification, variability testing, and mineralogical context.
By integrating reliable analytical methods with metallurgical expertise, we deliver results that support both daily operations and long-term planning.