Driving more sustainable gold production

22 Sep 2025

Around the world, there is a strong drive towards the sustainable production of commodities, and every day Intertek works with companies looking to advance on their commitments in this area. One such company is Australian gold producer Pantoro Gold Limited (‘Pantoro’).

We have partnered with Pantoro to install and operate an on-site high energy X-ray analysis unit at its Norseman Gold Project (‘Norseman’) in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The automated unit offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gold assay methods, which determine the purity and composition of this precious metal.

The unit delivers results in under two minutes from 500-gram samples, without destroying the sample material, allowing for future use in metallurgical testing. By eliminating the use of lead flux, a common chemical agent used in gold testing, the unit also supports the reduction of around three tonnes of hazardous waste for every 10,000 samples processed. Additionally, the technology avoids approximately 4.6 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and saves close to 6.5 megawatt hours of electricity over the same volume, significantly reducing the Norseman’s environmental footprint.

Other benefits include a reduced need for sample transport, improved quality control and enhanced on-site safety.

As a leading provider of gold assay services, we are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions with measurable sustainability outcomes. And through this collaboration with Pantoro, we are supporting its commitment to responsible gold production.

Learn more about our precious metals analytical services.