The mine that knows its mineralogy
wastes less, recovers more, and invests smarter.

‍Advantages of S-XRD

Discover how synchrotron XRD outperforms conventional mineral analysis at industrial scale.

High Throughput

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The intensity of the synchrotron beam allows each sample to be analyzed in seconds — making campaigns of thousands of samples practical within a single visit to the beamline.

Superior Data Quality

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The synchrotron beam is far more powerful than any conventional X-ray source —  detecting minerals standard labs would miss, and more accurate results across every sample.

Cost-Effective

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Analyzing thousands of samples in a single campaign brings the cost per sample down to a level that makes full-deposit mineralogy economically viable.

Amorphous Content

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By doping samples with an internal standard, synchrotron XRD can quantify the amorphous component directly — giving you a complete picture of your ore, not just the crystalline phases.

What we do?

Synchrotron mineralogy for mining. At industrial scale.

DeterMin measures very large batches of pulverized mining samples with synchrotron-based XRD, running most campaigns at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland — home to one of the world's leading synchrotron facilities.

The first batch is used to identify every mineral phase present in your ore. In Rietveld analysis, any mineral missing from the model distorts the results of every other mineral. At the scale we operate, we catch the rare and minor phases a limited sample set would miss — making our results more precise than any conventional method can achieve.

The result is a complete mineralogical dataset for every sample, ready to be used in block models, process planning, and mine decisions.

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1. Sample Preparation

We routinely receive 3,000 to 10,000 pulp rejects from a single deposit in one campaign, using the same pulp samples already collected for chemical assay. That means no extra sampling and no disruption to your existing workflow.

Each sample is prepared into a coded, sealed capsule to ensure traceability, consistency, and reliable handling throughout the analytical workflow, making large-scale mineralogical analysis practical without adding complexity to the sampling process.

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2. Data Collection

At the synchrotron beamline, data is collected using a vibrating sample holder and a large photon counting area detector. The beam is monochromatized — producing clean, interference-free diffraction data that is then carried forward into analysis.

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3. Analysis & Mineralogical Model

The full dataset is analyzed to identify every mineral phase present in your deposit. A Rietveld model is built from the first batch of samples, capturing even the rare and minor phases that smaller sample sets would miss — ensuring every phase is accounted for and nothing distorts the results.

Results include percentual mineral phase composition and back-calculated chemical composition for every sample. Where needed, the amorphous component can also be quantified using internal standardization.

Collaboration Fuels Our Success

Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) logo — synchrotron facility partner
DECTRIS logo — photon counting detection technology partner
Why it matters?

The Benefits

Mineralogy is at the core of every major decision at a mine — yet most operations run on estimates. Determin changes that.

From estimates to real mineralogical knowledge

Conventional methods usually analyze only a limited number of samples and estimate the rest. DeterMin measures thousands of samples across the deposit, giving you a much more complete mineralogical picture based on real data rather than assumptions.

Avoid costly wrong investments

Decisions about processing infrastructure, expansions, and mine planning are only as good as the data behind them. When your mineralogy is wrong, your business case is wrong. DeterMin gives you reliable mineralogical data, so decisions are based on measured reality — not assumptions.

Know exactly what you're processing

When you know the real mineralogy of every ore zone feeding your plant, you can optimize your process for the ore that is actually coming, not the ore you assumed was there. The result is better recovery, less waste, and more consistent plant performance.

Jarkko Stenman, CEO of DeterMin and inventor of HT-SR-XRPD mineral analysis

Inventor of the S-XRD: Jarkko Stenman

Jarkko Stenman, CEO of DeterMin, is a geologist, mineralogist, and crystallographer, and the inventor of High Throughput Synchrotron Powder Diffraction for mineralogical analysis. His work on the method began in 2017 at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, home to the Swiss Light Source — one of the world's leading synchrotron facilities. It was there that Jarkko developed the foundational approach that Determin is built on, combining deep mineralogical expertise with the precision of synchrotron-based analysis.

About Us

Evolved from the academy to meet the industrial needs with scientific precision

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Bridging Academia and Industry

DeterMin has evolved from academic roots to address industrial needs with scientific precision. Our foundation is built on a strong partnership between academia and industry, enabling us to offer services grounded in rigorous scientific research.

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Expertise in Quantitative Phase Analysis

Our team has extensive expertise in geology, mineralogy, crystallography, and analytics. This robust background allows us to provide advanced analytical services utilizing synchrotron light sources. We are committed to continuously improving our methods and developing innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our analytics.

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Technology Beyond Laboratories

We are pioneering mineralogy by providing Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Diffraction on an industrial scale, achieving speeds, precision, and accuracy never before possible. High-intensity, truly monochromatic X-rays, combined with sample handling technique developed for Martian exploration and DECTRIS® photon counting detection technology, enable us to deliver unparalleled analytical capabilities.

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Commitment to Innovation and Sustainability

At DeterMin, we are dedicated to supporting our customers in transitioning to greener mining practices while achieving higher yields. Our focus on sustainable practices ensures that our solutions not only meet the needs of today but also pave the way for a more environmentally responsible future.

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Customized Solutions for Diverse Needs

Understanding that each client has unique needs, we offer tailored analysis services. Whether you’re in academia, industry, or government, we adapt our approach to suit your specific project requirements. Our calibrations, exceeding but not limited to 100 mineral phases, are always built from the sample type or deposit itself, ensuring the highest accuracy and relevance for your analysis.

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Ready to scale up your mineral analysis?

Reach out and let’s explore what’s next.

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