Our Metallurgical Testing Knowledge

Sepro Labs is a full service metallurgical testing laboratory with a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate at providing practical solutions for each of their clients’ unique project.  While we are experts with the recovery and extraction methods on conventional mineral projects such as precious metals, sulphide-associated and industrial mineral commodities, Sepro Labs has also pushed the physical boundaries of applying gravity concentration to recover fine particles below 20 microns.

Sepro Labs has developed an extensive background and capability in the testing and recovery on fine particle minerals using the Falcon Continuous ‘C’ and Ultra-Fine ‘UF’ centrifugal concentrators.  Examples of successful Falcon ‘C’ and ‘UF’ application include:

  • Recovery of precious metals and sulphides from carbon pre-float streams with a P80 below 10 microns;
  • Recovery and upgrading of tin and tungsten tailings below 75 microns that was previously not recovered by other means of processing;
  • Recovery of sulphide minerals on the cyclone overflow where the use of flotation is prohibited;
  • Recovery and upgrading of tantalum and niobium from ultra-fine regrind streams where flotation is not efficient. 

Falcon C and UF concentrators are currently being used to recover ultra-fine minerals such as tin, tungsten, tantalum and niobium from tailings that was not recovered by other means of processing.  The Falcon units have been successfully installed and operating in various mines out of Australia, Canada, Mexico, Russia, U.S.A. and Vietnam. The design and commissioning of these Falcon circuits all originated from testwork performed at Sepro Labs.

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Experts on Testing

Sepro Labs experts possess vast knowledge and extensive experience to successfully conduct mineral beneficiation testing. Our laboratory facility includes a wide range of equipment necessary to research, develop and test various beneficiation methods. We have the expertise to quickly and efficiently design appropriate test programs to save time and money.

Learn about Testing

We know Metals and Minerals

Efficient recovery of different minerals requires a variety of mineral processing and hydrometallurgical techniques.

 

We have experience working with a number of metals and minerals, including sulphide, industrial and strategic minerals, as well as precious and secondary metals.

Learn about minerals

Technical Papers

Watch and Learn

Dr. Erin Bobicki: Microwave Treatment of Ores FAQs

Microwave Treatment of Ores

How Microwave Testing Works

Innovative Mineral Processing With Microwave Technology | CanMicro Technology

Gold Gravity Concentration Test | Falcon L40

Development Assay Laboratory | Pretivm

Sepro Scrubber Test on Incinerated Bottom Ash

The People Behind Sepro Labs

Danny Kwok

B.A.Sc, P.Eng, General Manager

Jalal Tajadod

Ph.D, P.Eng, Senior Metallurgical Engineer

Jonathan Tan

B.A.Sc, P.Eng, Metallurgical Engineer and Lab Manager

Aaron Bazzana

B.A.Sc, Metallurgist

Alex Frey

BASc, Process Engineer

Andrew Gillis

PEng, MBA, BASc, VP Marketing, R&D and IP

Mark Van Kleek

MBA, BASc, President and CEO

Danny Kwok

B.A.Sc, P.Eng, General Manager

Danny has over 12 years of metallurgical experience performing process evaluation studies, flowsheet development and extensive laboratory test work. Prior to joining Sepro Labs, he led the creation of a commercial metallurgical and analytical test facility where he was responsible for establishing all laboratory test procedures, implementing health and safety protocols and overseeing all aspects of the laboratory operation. Danny has overseen multiple projects involving ore sorting, gravity concentration, flotation, atmospheric, pressure, and bio-oxidation leaching, SART (sulfidization, acidification, recycling and thickening) cyanide recovery and many other mineral processes. Some projects of note include process development on pyrochlore, spodumene, and graphite ores, purification of ruby concentrates and leaching of arsenic from enargite concentrates. Danny holds a bachelor’s degree in mining and mineral processing from the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Jalal Tajadod

Ph.D, P.Eng, Senior Metallurgical Engineer

Jalal offers 20 years of experience as a mineral processing engineer and project manager. Prior to joining Sepro Labs, Jalal worked at SGS Canada Inc., Vancouver’s metallurgical laboratory where he was involved in research and development, project management and engineering. Jalal completed his Ph.D. degree in mineral processing at the Mining Department of Queen’s University. Jalal has been involved in a wide array of projects, including the development of bankable flowsheets and geo-metallurgical mapping. He has extensive experience with interpreting mineralogical and QEMSCAN data involving the characterization of ore, plant feed and products from metallurgical test work with relevance to mineral processing activities, metallurgical test work and mine planning. Throughout his career, Jalal acquired and constantly developed his skills in crushing, grinding, screening, dewatering, classification, magnetic separation, gravity concentration, leaching and flotation. He has been involved in the design of metallurgical tests, laboratory activities, and reporting related to gold, silver, tungsten, copper, molybdenum, nickel, PGE, lead and zinc projects from Canada, USA, Peru, China, Finland, Guyana and Mexico.

Jonathan Tan

B.A.Sc, P.Eng, Metallurgical Engineer and Lab Manager

Jonathan obtained his bachelor’s degree in metals and materials engineering from The University of British Columbia (UBC). Prior to joining the Sepro Labs team, Jonathan kicked off his professional career in mineral beneficiation with Teck Resources and Vale Inco, where he was involved in a pilot plant campaign as part of a pre-feasibility study, and conducted ore evaluation studies that were used to plan future production at Vale’s Sudbury mine. As a process metallurgist and laboratory manager, he oversees all aspects of laboratory operation. He is also involved in research and development for Sepro Labs. His specializations include gravity concentration and leaching techniques. Jonathan is also a council member of the UBC Materials Engineering Alumni Advisory Council, which determines methods for improving undergraduate program curriculum and student development to ensure new graduates are well-aligned for the needs of the job market.

Aaron Bazzana

B.A.Sc, Metallurgist

Since joining Sepro Labs in 2015, Aaron has managed a variety of metallurgical test programs for clients across the globe. His areas of expertise include gravity recoverable gold (GRG) testing, gold-gravity circuit modeling, heavy-liquid separation, dense media separation, pilot plant operation and leaching. Prior to joining the Sepro Labs team, Aaron started his professional career in mineral beneficiation with Taseko Mines where he was involved in the optimization of the semi-autonomous grinding (SAG) mill and provided metallurgical support. Aaron previously worked for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), conducting wear monitoring and pipeline maintenance scheduling for the Horizon project location near Fort McMurray, Canada. Aaron obtained his bachelor’s degree in materials engineering from the University of British Columbia (UBC), with a focus on metallurgy and mineral processing.

Alex Frey

BASc, Process Engineer

Alex completed his undergraduate degree in mining and mineral processing engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and is currently working towards a master’s degree. Since joining the Sepro group in 2013, Alex has managed a wide array of process development projects for clients across the globe. His areas of expertise include intensive leaching, enhanced gravity concentration techniques, metallurgical testing, technology development and circuit optimization.

Andrew Gillis

PEng, MBA, BASc, VP Marketing, R&D and IP

Andrew Gillis first joined Sepro in 2007 and has held multiple roles within the company,including process support, new technology development and sales management. He has experience in mining operations, consulting and continuous improvement through work in the coal and oil and gas industries. In addition, he has worked with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on issues relating to the health and safety of small-scale and artisanal miners. As vice president, he oversees Sepro’s research and development activities, intellectual property portfolio, project management department, marketing department and is responsible for the evaluation and management of new corporate ventures. Andrew holds a mining and mineral processing degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC), an MBA from Simon Fraser University and is a registered professional engineer.

Mark Van Kleek

MBA, BASc, President and CEO

Mark Van Kleek completed his undergraduate degree in mining and mineral processing from the University of British Columbia (UBC). He began his career in aggregates and industrial minerals before advancing to gravity processing technology. After extensive world travel and on-site experience, Mark attended Simon Fraser University to complete a Masters of Business Administration with a specialty in technology development. Mark returned to the mining and mineral processing industry, to work with environmentally friendly technologies before accepting the role as president of Falcon Concentrators in 2004. Under Mark’s guidance, Falcon Concentrators purchased Sepro Mineral Processing International which amalgamated the two companies into what is now known as Sepro Mineral Systems Corp. Through Mark’s strategic decision making, senior leadership and technical experience, Sepro Mineral Systems continues to add to its well-developed product lines and enjoys aggressive growth. Mark looks forward to expanding Sepro’s range of products and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the mining and mineral processing industry.

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