ACT-UIS has signed another major contract, this time for the determination of the Limit of Oxidised Coal (LOX) which is being investigated during an extensive chip drilling programme for coal in north-western Mozambique by one of the biggest mining companies in the world. As the drilling project requires fast turn-around times in order to make geological decisions for an effective drilling programme, the laboratory, together with the client, has designed a time-efficient sink/float process followed by the determination of the swelling index of coal.

 

When considering the safety of drinking water the presence of bacteria is of immense concern. Pathogenic organisms may cause illnesses, intestinal infections, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera and even death, especially amongst the elderly, immune-depressed and young children.

Human and animal waste matter is a primary source of bacteria in water. This supply of bacterial contamination emanates from the run-off of pastures, dog routes or other land areas where such bodily waste is deposited. Other factors are seepage or discharge from septic tanks and sewage plants as well as normal soil/plant decay bacteria.