Mining Magazine > Panorama > FEI acquires JKTech Mineral Analysis

Panorama

FEI, a provider of atomic-scale imaging and analysis systems, has announced the acquisition of JKTech’s Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) business. The move has helped to solidify FEI’s global leadership in automated mineralogy solutions for the natural resources industry

Paul Scagnetti, FEI’s Industry Division vice president and general manager commented: “FEI and JKTech have been technology partners for more than ten years, delivering MLA solutions to major natural resource companies and universities around the world. This addition follows our recent acquisition of QEMSCAN technology and the assets of Intellection, giving FEI a leadership position in this market.”

Automated mineralogy systems are used to identify minerals in polished sections of drill core, cuttings, particulate, or lump materials, and quantify a wide range of rock characteristics, such as mineral abundance, grain size, porosity/permeability and liberation.

“We’re pleased by FEI’s commitment to take MLA to the next level,” said Geoff Gault, JKTech managing director, “The resources and capabilities that FEI is putting into automated mineralogy should have a substantial positive impact on many natural resources companies, and the MLA technology has been rapidly adopted by many of the world’s leading mining companies.”

Dr. Ying Gu, the inventor of MLA, will join JKMRC and will continue his research in the field of mineralogy. FEI will maintain an office in Brisbane, Australia, which will serve as the Centre of Excellence for Natural Resources. QEMSCAN and MLA experts from the former Intellection and JKTech MLA businesses are joining FEI natural resources experts at the office to deliver customer support services and to expand product development.