Gekko Systems, an innovative mineral processing company and modular plant designer has recently moved its South American focus from Chile to Brazil. Gekko is a well-known gravity expert with its InLine Pressure Jig and concentrate leaching technology and also supplies energy efficient modular plants, taking advantage of new fine crushing technologies and pre-concentration.
Gekko recently closed its office in Chile and has relocated its operations to Belo Horizonte in partnership with Brazilian-based company, Minetec. Diego Mielke, Minetec Manager, has been appointed the representative for Gekko Systems in South America and is responsible for Gekko’s sales opportunities in the continent. Mr Mielke believes that, “Gekko Systems’ equipment is a good fit for the Brazilian market and that the team at Minetec is dedicated to support the current Gekko installation base and any new customers in Latin America”.
Gekko Systems also operates in Peru via an exclusive agency agreement with Futuratech technologies.
The company primarily focuses on precious metals (gold/silver) and other minerals. Nigel Grigg, Gekko Systems’ Business Development Manager, said, “the market in Brazil suits Gekko’s range of innovative mineral processing equipment and provides a more sustainable market for the future. Gekko initially set up its office in Chile, the strategy being to have access to the larger engineering houses and business conditions; however there was a disproportionate focus on very large copper projects and Brazil offered more opportunities to supply modular plants and equipment to a wide range of mid-tier gold miners.”
Gekko has been very successful setting up a large installation base in South America and has projects in Columbia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil. Gekko has installations using its intensive cyanidation technology to leach silver flotation concentrates in Peru, Argentina and Mexico and has also installed several pre-concentration plants, using the patented InLine Pressure Jig; some of the largest being at Minsur’s San Rafael Tin mine in Peru and at Pirquitas, Silver Standard’s silver operation in Argentina.
Gekko is working with a number of Brazilian projects to supply both mineral processing equipment and technical services. Gekko is hoping to consolidate itself in Brazil being known as a world class supplier into the gold industry.