The Caleb Brett division of Intertek Group has acquired Genalysis Laboratory Services.

The increased demand for minerals from Asian emerging markets such as China and India is driving the Intertek Group business forward and was a connsideration in the Australian acquisition.

Genalysis provides analytical testing and sample preparation services to mining, ore and mineral companies on a global basis. With locations in Australia and South Africa, Genalysis carries out testing in one large centralised laboratory facility.

The acquisition of Genalysis complements Intertek's existing global minerals services, network and capacity. Intertek provides analytical services to the world's mineral, ore and mining industries with facilities in Indonesia, China, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Brazil and North America.

Genalysis offers sample preparation and analytical testing services for metals including gold, platinum, copper and nickel.  Genalysis processes more than one million samples per year, offering fire assay, leachwell, partial digest and cyanide techniques.  Genalysis operates a laboratory in Perth and sample preparation facilities in Kalgoorlie and Adelaide (Australia) and Johannesburg (South Africa). 

Intertek Caleb Brett Division executive vice president Mark Loughead says, "The expertise and services provided by Genalysis further expands our capability to meet the growing global demand for mineral testing services and delivers complementary services that bring value to our mining, exploration and production customers."

Genalysis managing director Terry Wheeler says: "We look forward to incorporating the industry expertise of Genalysis' people and our state-of-the-art facilities with those at Intertek. The combination takes our business to the next level, offering a superior package of services to our global customers. Perth is a major international hub for minerals testing and exporting and Johannesburg provides strategic support for various African commodities, including the platinum market. Our business has performed strongly, supported by the Australian minerals trade, and will accelerate with Intertek's global reach, network and customers."

Genalysis minerals Asia regional manager John Fowler says: "The acquisition of Genalysis is a major step in Intertek's goal is to be the recognized leader for minerals analytical testing in Asia Pacific.