About – Labwest

About Labwest

LabWest Minerals Analysis Pty Ltd (LabWest) was established in late 2008 to meet a need in the Western Australian market for an independent minerals analysis facility, and is owned by a small group of key investors, most of whom are employees of the company.

The managers have combined experience of more than 80 years in the minerals analysis field, and worked for a range of major mining companies and commercial laboratories. Our focus is on geochemical analysis, combining a clean environment and careful sample handling practices to give contamination-free preparation and low-detection limit elemental determinations.

LabWest’s philosophy has been to utilise the best available equipment and cutting-edge techniques from the very start, hence our decision to proceed with, and develop, microwave digestion methodology rather than the traditional hotbox or hotplate options. We are now a world leader in microwave digestion of mineral samples.

As a small, personal company, LabWest maintains close relations with our clients, ensuring that all personnel understand the particular requirements of each customer. Our particular focus on junior explorers ensures that, even in busy times, smaller customers get the same attention and processing priority as bigger clients.

In 2011 LabWest achieved accreditation by NATA to ISO/IEC 17025 standard, which testifies to the quality of systems and staff employed.

Senior Staff And Management

Brad Whisson

Managing Director

Having worked for a range of major mining and laboratory organisations over the past 35 years and established and/or managed 10 analytical laboratories across 5 countries, Brad has wide-ranging experience in provision of minerals analysis services. Brad holds a BSc in Chemistry (UWA) and MBA (La Trobe), and is a Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Association of Applied Geochemists and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

Glen Whisson

Director

With a Bachelor of Business degree (Marketing & Financial Management) and PhD in Aquatic Science (Curtin), Glen is recognised internationally as a Past President of the International Association of Astacology.

Andrew Daly

Principal Scientist

Andrew has held senior roles with major laboratory organisations in Australia over the past 23 years, and has undertaken laboratory development projects around the country. Holding a BSc in Chemistry (Adelaide) and Diploma of Business Management (Mt Eliza), he is a specialist in instrumental analysis, particularly ICP-OES and ICP-MS, and a Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. As LabWest's Principal Scientist, Andrew directs the laboratory's R&D programs, method development and quality systems improvement.

Enrico Ianni

Data Chemist

Enrico joined LabWest at the beginning of 2020, with a PhD in physics and strong background in data mining and analytics. Enrico’s primary role is development of data processing systems, including improvement of statistical scrutiny and validation procedures for our analytical results, and he is also involved in operation of LabWest’s analytical instrumentation.

Blake Stacey

Business Development Manager

Blake is an experienced manager and Materials Engineer with over 30 years’ technical experience in manufacturing and innovation for new products and processes, and in business development. Blake has worked throughout Australia and overseas, developing products, commissioning machinery, and consulting in manufacturing. With a degree in Ceramic Engineering (UNSW) , a Dip Ed (Physics and Chemistry), and Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors, Blake has a unique set of skills and training that is well suited to his role in the LabWest team.

Svetta Kerai

Senior ICP Chemist

Svetta joined LabWest in 2016, and is a senior team member. Holding a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering, Svetta is experienced in all analytical procedures at LabWest, from various preparation techniques to instrumental determinations. Svetta's primary role is in ICP Operations, including operation and maintenance of ICP-OES, ICP-MS and data processing.

Staff Comments

“We established LabWest in 2009 with a first-rate team to meet a need for expert, boutique services to the minerals exploration industry in Western Australia. Our particular focus is on regolith geochemistry and biogeochemistry, and our analytical expertise is at your disposal.”

Brad Whisson
Managing Director

“Our team has combined 80 years’ experience in geochemical analysis, and we have designed quality into every aspect of our systems. Our accreditation by NATA attests to the level of confidence that our clients have in their results.

We will ensure the same level of effort goes into your solution – whether it is one of our standard techniques or developed specifically for your application.”

Andrew Daly
Laboratory Manager