LabWest provides advanced laboratory testing and analytical services for battery metals and critical minerals, supporting exploration, development, and production projects across Australia and internationally.
With extensive experience across a wide range of geological settings and metallurgical processes, LabWest delivers high-sensitivity analytical techniques to identify mineralisation, assess resource potential, and support product quality throughout production stages, and in final testing and certification. Our services are designed to provide reliable, reproducible data for commodities essential to the energy transition, including lithium, rare earth elements (REEs), graphite, and base metals, as well as recycled materials.
Advanced Analytical Techniques for Battery Metals
LabWest applies a range of proven laboratory techniques to support battery metals exploration and analysis. These methods are selected based on sample type, geological context, and required detection limits.
Ultrafine+™ Soil Analysis
Ultrafine+™ is a highly sensitive technique used for broad-scale exploration and detection of subtle geochemical anomalies beneath cover.
This method focuses on analysing the fine clay fraction of soil samples using microwave aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS. It is particularly effective for detecting resistate minerals and heavy rare earth elements, providing strong signal responses where traditional soil methods may fail.
Ultrafine+™ is widely used for regional exploration programs targeting lithium, REEs, and base metals. View ASX Announcements.
Microwave-assisted Multiacid Digestion (MMA)
MMA is used for near-total digestion of rock and soil samples, enabling comprehensive multi-element analysis.
This technique is ideal for:
- Low-level rare earth element detection
- Lithium, caesium and tantalum (LCT) analysis
- Broad trace element suites
By providing complete digestion of most mineral phases, MMA delivers accurate and consistent results for resource evaluation.
Alkaline Fusion
Alkaline fusion is used where complete digestion is required, particularly for samples with high Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO).
This method ensures full breakdown of resistate minerals, providing a true total concentration of rare earth elements in rock or soil samples.
Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemical analysis is used to detect mineralisation through vegetation sampling, particularly in areas with transported cover.
This technique has been successfully applied to identify anomalies for rare earth elements, lithium, and base metals, where traditional soil sampling is less effective.
Watch LabWest's Principal Chemist's Presentation on Rare Earth Element Analysis at AIG:
Battery Metals We Support
LabWest supports exploration and analysis across a range of battery metals and critical minerals.
Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
LabWest has extensive experience supporting REE exploration across Australia, including major regions such as Brown's Range, Mt Isa, and the Fraser Ranges.
Our analytical techniques enable the detection of both light and heavy rare earth elements, supporting early-stage exploration through to resource definition.
Lithium and LCT Systems
Lithium exploration is supported through Ultrafine+™ soil analysis, which is highly effective in identifying anomalies across large exploration areas.
Rock and chip samples can be analysed using MMA to determine total concentrations of lithium, caesium, and tantalum, as well as associated pathfinder elements.
Graphite
LabWest offers dedicated carbon and sulphur analysis for graphite projects, including:
• Total carbon
• Graphitic carbon
• Total sulphur
Analysis is carried out using oxidative combustion techniques to ensure accuracy and repeatability.
Copper, Nickel and Cobalt
Base metals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt are effectively detected using Ultrafine+™, as they adhere well to clay particles.
MMA and biogeochemistry methods are also used to support exploration and anomaly detection across a variety of terrains.
Uranium and Isotopes
Uranium exploration benefits from Ultrafine+™ analysis because of its environmental mobility.
LabWest also utilises advanced multi-quadrupole ICP technology capable of detecting isotopes with very low limits of detection, supporting high-precision analytical requirements.
Product Impurity Testing for Battery Materials
In addition to exploration services, LabWest provides specialised impurity testing for battery metals and processed materials.
We support analysis of products, including:
- High Purity Alumina (HPA)
- High Purity Silica (HPS)
- Vanadium products (V2O5)
- Lithium hydroxide and carbonate (LiOH, LiCO3)
- Cobalt sulphide (CoS2)
- Manganese sulphate (MnSO4)
- Graphite and black mass
Testing capabilities include:
- Trace multi-element analysis by ICP-MS and OES
- Magnetic impurity testing
- Acid and water insolubles
- Fluoride, chloride and CO2 analysis
Impurity levels can be measured to extremely low detection limits, supporting product specifications up to 99.999% purity.
Why Choose LabWest for Battery Metals Testing?
LabWest combines advanced laboratory capabilities with extensive industry experience to support battery metals projects at every stage.
Our services are designed to provide:
- High-sensitivity analytical results
- Reliable and reproducible data
- Flexible testing methods tailored to project requirements
- Expertise across a wide range of commodities and geological settings
Whether you are conducting early-stage exploration, resource evaluation, or product quality testing, LabWest provides the analytical support you need to make confident, data-driven decisions.
To learn more about our battery metals and critical minerals testing services, contact the LabWest team today.