In 2015, Gekko Systems reached a significant advancement with the NATA accreditation of our Ballarat-based Assay Laboratory facilities in the field of Chemical Testing. This achievement formally recognised the Ballarat-based laboratory facilities and their technical competence, operational discipline, and alignment with global best practice under ISO/IEC 17025, placing Gekko among the industry’s most trusted analytical service providers.
NATA, one of the world’s largest and most respected accreditation bodies, provides independent assurance that laboratories meet stringent criteria for reliability, safety, and technical excellence.
Achieving accreditation requires a comprehensive on‑site assessment of:
- Quality control systems
- Management processes
- Staff training and competency
- Equipment performance
- Reporting accuracy
- Documentation and traceability
Every aspect of the laboratory’s operations is scrutinised to ensure that data produced is accurate, repeatable, and aligned with international best practice. As our Assay Laboratory Services Manager at the time of accreditation in 2015 noted: “NATA Accreditation puts the Assay Laboratory on a level playing field with our competitors. We are now able to market our capabilities and give the client confidence that the laboratory follows best practices but still achieves great turnaround times at a competitive price”.
Gekko Systems HQ Laboratory & Research Facility
Today, the Gekko Assay Laboratory facilities continue to operate at world‑class standards, supporting both long-standing regional Victorian gold mines and a broad external client base across exploration, production, and metallurgical development.
The laboratory offers a comprehensive suite of analytical services, including:
- Gold and PGM fire assay
- Cyanide extraction (LeachWELL)
- Base metal analysis via ICP-EOS and ICP-MS
- High‑capacity sample processing for improved accuracy on low‑yield ores
The facilities operate under rigorous occupational health and safety standards, with documented SOPs governing every in‑house system and process. This ensures consistency, reliability, and confidence for clients who depend on fast, accurate, and defensible assay results.
Achieving NATA accreditation set a new benchmark for Gekko’s internal culture of excellence. It reinforced the importance of quality at every step, from sample preparation to final reporting, and continues to guide the laboratory facilities’ commitment to delivering high‑integrity data that supports smarter, more sustainable mineral processing.
Explore Gekko’s Assay Laboratory services:
👉 Visit the Assay Lab page: Assay Lab – Gekko Systems
👉 Learn about our metallurgical testwork services: Metallurgical Lab – Gekko Systems
👉 See more milestones from our 30‑year journey: 30 Year Anniversary Milestone Series Archives – Gekko Systems
