The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - May 14, 2025
PhotonAssay uses high-energy X-rays to excite atomic nuclei for enhanced analysis of gold, silver, copper, and complementary elements in as little as two minutes.
Current PhotonAssay deployments and Chrysos offices (orange) and regions with PhotonAssay inquiries (blue).
Further solidifying Chrysos Corp.'s PhotonAssay as a faster, safer, and more accurate gold analysis method, Newmont Corp. has signed an agreement to deploy this next-generation technology across its global operations.
Last week, Newmont Corp. signed an agreement to have PhotonAssay machines deployed at its global gold operations, with the first unit to be installed at its Ahafo mine in Ghana.
The master services agreement to deploy and maintain PhotonAssay machines at Newmont operations and a contract to install the first unit later this year are major endorsements of the PhotonAssay technology.
"It is a testament not only to Newmont's approach to operational and environmental excellence, but also reinforcing the significance of PhotonAssay itself," said Chrysos Managing Director and CEO Dirk Treasure.
A relatively new assay technology developed and commercialized in Australia, PhotonAssay uses high-energy X-rays to excite atomic nuclei for enhanced analysis of gold, silver, copper, and complementary elements in as little as two minutes.
In addition to being much faster than fire assay, this 21st-century tech is less labor-intensive, safer, and better for the environment than the sample melting process that has been the mainstay mineral analysis method for more than 5,000 years.
Current PhotonAssay deployments and Chrysos offices (orange) and regions with PhotonAssay inquiries (blue).
PhotonAssay has already attracted the attention of Barrick Mining, an early adopter of the technology.
In a three-way partnership with Chrysos and MSALABS, a global provider of geochemical laboratory services for the exploration and mining sectors, Barrick had PhotonAssay units installed at its Bulyanhulu mine in Tanzania and Kibali operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2021.
Impressed with the tech, Barrick had three PhotonAssay units installed at the Nevada Gold Mines complex, a joint venture between Barrick (61.5%) and Newmont (38.5%).
The firsthand experience with PhotonAssay's advantages at Nevada Gold Mines likely factored into Newmont's decision to adopt the technology.
Chrysos sees Newmont joining the ranks of early adopters as a tipping point for broader industry transformation.
"We are continuing our strategy of converting the world's biggest gold miners to PhotonAssay," said Treasure. "We are pleased to see top- and mid-tier producers adopting our technology at their projects, a trend that will only accelerate as we continue to penetrate the global mining market."
With more than 17 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration, and technology metals.
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