ACZ Laboratories, Inc. has over 40 years of experience providing analytical support to the mining industry and has built a reputation as one of the highest quality environmental laboratories in the industry. ACZ provides analytical support services to gold, silver, rare earth, copper, coal, trona, soda ash, base metal, and uranium mining operations. We currently support mining operations throughout the United States, Central & South America, Africa, as well as Asia.

ACZ understands the analytical requirements and data quality needs of the modern mining industry. We deal with the unique water matrices that are associated with mineralized zones around mining operations on a daily basis. We also perform specialized mining related testing and sample prep in-house on overburden, ore, mine tailings, plant tissue, and animal tissue that many labs have to subcontract. This overall turn-key experience is why so many mining companies and their consultants choose ACZ for their analytical work. Unlike most of the large chain laboratories, we do all analyses in-house at one single location.  We do not have to send out samples to a separate satellite lab in order to perform full suites of analytical parameters.

Mining Industry Capabilities include:

• Water Quality Monitoring (Clean-Room Metals)
• NPDES compliance
• Cyanide Analysis (Free, Available, Thiocyanate, WAD and Total)
• Acid base Accounting (ABA) Sobek, Modified Sobek
• Overburden Analysis
• Humidity Cell Testing (HCT)
• Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) Methods (EPA 1313, EPA 1314, &  EPA 1315) 
• Column Leach Studies: Nevada MWME & Client Modified Columns
• Sequential Extraction for Metal Fractioning
• Metals Speciation
• Plant Tissue and Biota Tissue Analysis for Trace Metals and Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA)

Acid-Base Accounting (ABA)

Acid–Base Accounting is a dependable criterion by which overburden materials can be evaluated. An acid-base account consists of two measurements: 1) total or pyritic sulfur and 2) neutralization potential. The accounting balances the maximum potential acidity against total neutralizers in the sample.

The total or pyritic sulfur content accurately quantifies potential acidity of materials when all sulfur is present as a pyritic mineral. When gypsum is found in an overburden sample or the materials are weathered, sulfur occurs in the form of sulfates. Samples high in organic carbon usually contain organic sulfur. When part of the sulfur occurs in nonacid-producing forms, the maximum potential acidity as calculated will be too high. It is for this reason that such calculations are referred to as maximums and that in doubtful cases appropriate acid and water leachings should be made to rule out those forms of sulfur which do not produce acid. Then from the stoichiometric equation of pyrite oxidation, the maximum potential acidity can be calculated in terms of calcium carbonate required to neutralize 1000 tons of the material. The neutralization potential of overburden materials (the second component of a net acid-base account) measures the amount of neutralizers present on the overburden materials. This measurement is found by treating a sample with a known amount of standardized hydrochloric acid, heating to assure complete reaction, and titrating with a standardized base. The result is then expressed in calcium carbonate equivalents. When balanced against acidity from the total sulfur measurement, a net acid-base account can be made.

ACZ Laboratories holds certification from the State of Nevada for Acid-Base Accounting methods.  Nevada is currently the only state agency offering this certification.

Humidity Cell Testing (HCT)

Since 1980 ACZ has been supporting the global mining industry’s specialized needs; from baseline studies to operational water quality monitoring, plus static and kinetic testing for acid rock drainage prediction (ARD). ACZ Laboratories offers Humidity Cell Testing (HCT) via ASTM D5744-13 in a new state-of-the-art laboratory. HCT is designed to simulate in-situ weathering of waste rock and tailings in a controlled laboratory setting. ACZ’s highly experienced staff, quality assurance program as well as state and national certifications (NELAP) ensure our clients’ data is accurate, defensible and reproducible. All analysis is performed in accordance with globally recognized standards (ISO 17025). Partnering with ACZ is a commitment to quality and a guarantee to personalized service.

• State of Nevada Certification for Static (ABA) and Kinetic (HCT, MWME) Testing
• Wider Columns Available for Analysis of Tailings
• Client Specific Customized Testing
• Low-level Metals Analysis in a Class 100 Cleanroom
• All Testing Performed in one 31,000 Sq. Ft. Lab
• USDA Foreign Soils Permit
• Monthly Reporting for HCT Progress Evaluations