Gekko Systems and CSIRO introduce the OLGA Mk3 – International Mining

Gekko Systems, in collaboration with CSIRO, has unveiled the OLGA Mk3, an advanced evolution of the OnLine Gold Analyser and it says engineered for unmatched precision, reliability, and operational efficiency.

As a flagship in Gekko’s real-time instrumentation suite, OLGA Mk3 delivers continuous, automated analysis of gold concentration in slurries and solutions. “By replacing delayed manual sampling with real-time data, it empowers operators to optimise recovery, reduce losses, and make faster, data-driven decisions.”

The OnLine Gold Analyser or OLGA is the first onstream analyser designed to read gold in slurries and solutions, giving operations the ability to see and control their plants in real time. Delivering an updated sub-parts per million (ppm) Au measurement every 10 minutes, OLGA provides insights into process performance that are unobtainable with assayed sample sets. This enables real-time monitoring and control of process systems and empowers mining operators to minimise gold losses from process excursions.

Patented X-ray lenses reduce background levels of other elements, allowing direct real time measurement of gold (down to sub-ppm levels) in both slurries and solutions. Live trends reported directly to the plant control system give operators greater visibility of gold in processing streams, enabling both real time process optimisation and immediate identification and rectification of excursions. A simple, continuous feed system eliminates cross-contamination and maximises data availability; while numerous data points and large sampling volumes ensure all grade variations are included in metal accounting figures. OLGA is modular, skid mounted and all components are pre-integrated. This makes OLGA fast and easy to install.

New in OLGA Mk3 includes dual-size X-ray optics (9.7 & 11.4 keV) for sharper gold peak detection plus improved interference rejection for arsenic, lead, and zinc. It also has a streamlined pipe flow design, replacing the legacy agitated tank system; plus simplified X-ray window access for faster maintenance. It allows for rapid window changeovers and has a manual sampling option for added flexibility.

The OLGA Mk2 has factory-tested performance with a detection limit as low as 0.02 ppm gold in solution; plus accuracy error is reduced from ~84% at 0.02 ppm to 10% at 0.10 ppm. In flowrate calibration, assay variance has been cut from 44% to 13% plus uptime is improved – 98% availability and 95% utilisation over six weeks. Validated X-ray safety redundancies have also been proven under elevated temperatures.

OLGA Mk3 also introduces multiplexing, enabling simultaneous monitoring of multiple streams—such as cyclone overflow, flotation feed, tails, and electrowinning circuits. This expands its diagnostic reach across the plant and supports broader metallurgical optimisation. “Engineered for precision, performance, and peace of mind, OLGA Mk3 sets a new benchmark in gold process monitoring.”